HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Parliament Square: Access

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what discussions the House authorities have had with the Metropolitan police on vehicular access to the parliamentary estate from Parliament Square since 20 April; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1000W.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Cycling

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure the provision of cycle-to-work schemes to members of each armed service.

Kevan Jones: The MOD has chosen not to adopt the specific Cycle-To-Work (C2W) scheme for Service Personnel (SP); instead it encourages greater cycle use under an equivalent scheme. Under the current arrangements eligible SP can claim a non-taxable benefit in the form of Home to Duty Travel allowance (Pedal Cycle) which reimburses them for commuting to work on bicycles. This is paid at a daily rate based upon the distance cycled. An internal review in June last year showed that this allowance is more advantageous than the likely benefits available under the C2W scheme.
	The MOD is committed to promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing pollution wherever possible, and policies to encourage greater use of bicycles are kept under regular review.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the objectives are of the Threat Reduction Division at the Atomic Weapons Establishment; and how many staff are employed in this division.

Quentin Davies: The Threat Reduction Division at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) currently employs some 140 staff, drawing on expertise as necessary from other parts of the AWE workforce to support its tasking objectives. The Threat Reduction Division supports four work-streams:
	Nuclear Treaty Verification (including arms control verification research and support to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation).
	Nuclear Accident Response.
	Counter Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism.
	Nuclear Intelligence.
	The detailed tasks and objectives within the four work-streams are being withheld as their release would, or would be likely to, prejudice national security.

Defence Medical Services: Contracts

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent in employing private contractors in defence medical services in each of the last five years.

Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 April 2009,  Official Report, columns 61-62W.

Departmental Billing

John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in each of the last five months.

Quentin Davies: Performance figures, for the last five months, against the Government's agreed 10 day payment target are shown in the table:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 November 2008 72.3 
			 December 2008 85 
			 January 2009 80 
			 February 2009 85 
			 March 2009 90.7

Departmental Official Hospitality

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's entertainment budget was in each of the last five years.

Kevan Jones: Official entertainment is typically offered where we host foreign Defence Ministers, armed forces representatives and civilian officials in the UK to use our influence to prevent conflict, pursue UK security policy interests and enhance professional contacts. Commanding Officers may include entertainment in events for members of their unit to enhance and develop cohesiveness and team spirit. We may also include entertainment to further wider public understanding of defence, for example during an official parliamentary visit to a military unit or where we are launching a major defence initiative. Entertainment, which must be modest, usually takes the form of light refreshments, lunches, dinners or, more rarely, receptions.
	We have reported the costs of entertainment in our annual report.
	These figures include expenditure by the Defence Agencies, but not by the MOD's Trading Funds and Executive Non Departmental Public Bodies, which lie outside the MOD's accounting boundary.
	Expenditure is incurred according to business need and subject to prior approval and compliance with departmental rules and the principles of propriety set out in Managing Public Money and the Treasury's handbook on Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money.
	Copies of our Annual Report and Accounts are available in the Library of the House and online under the MOD Publication Scheme at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AnnualReports/

Departmental Rail Travel

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance his Department has issued to its staff on claims for travel in first class carriages on trains if there are no seats in standard class.

Kevan Jones: Some military and civilian personnel are entitled to a certain standard of rail travel based on their rank or grade, and some of this involves rail travel at first class. Although some may utilise this, they are actively encouraged to consider whether it is needed, or whether the business can be conducted through alternative measures (e.g. video-conferencing).
	There is no specific guidance on what staff with a standard class entitlement should do if no standard class seats are available; we would expect staff to weigh up the available options at the time and to minimise expenditure as far as possible.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Carer's Allowance

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether provision for uprating the carer's allowance has been made in the 2009 Budget.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 28 April 2009
	 As announced in the 2009 Budget, the Government will at least maintain the cash value of all benefits, tax credits and personal tax allowances and thresholds in April 2010.

Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission: Complaints

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints he has received on the introduction of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission's CS2 computer system.

Kitty Ussher: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 29 April 2009:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about child maintenance, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints he has received on the introduction of the CS2 Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	In order to interpret the question correctly, clarification was sought from your office. They confirmed that you wanted to know (a) the overall number of complaints received since responsibility for the Child Support Agency transferred to the Commission and (b) the number of complaints received that have been specifically about the transfer.
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission took responsibility for the Child Support Agency on the 1st November 2008. The latest data available shows that in the following two months a total of 4,469 complaints were received, slightly less than the figure for the same period the previous year.
	The Commission has been able to identify 18 complaints which were categorised as relating to 'Phasing/Transfer to New System', the most relevant category available. This would include complaints relating to difficulties arising from the 2003 review of the child maintenance system. Discussions with caseworkers, management and the Client Relations Director however, suggest there have been few, if any, complaints relating specifically to the transfer to the Commission.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made in respect of those cases which were not transferred from the old to the new child support scheme.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 30 March 2009
	 The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about child support, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as child support is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what has happened to the so-called lost cases that were not transferred from the old to the new child support scheme.
	At the end of December 2008 there were 628,200 cases on the original or old child maintenance scheme, these cases are not lost but continue to be managed by the Child Support Agency. As you will be aware, the problems encountered by the Child Support Agency following the launch of the Reforms in 2003 resulted in a decision to defer the bulk transfer of cases from the old scheme to the current child support scheme. This decision was kept under review until February 2006 when the Government asked Sir David Henshaw to review the entire system of child maintenance. His subsequent report led to the Government's White paper and to the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008, which makes provision for a new system of child maintenance intended to be in place from 2011.
	Consequently, there will not be an opportunity to transfer cases from the original, or old, child maintenance scheme to the current scheme introduced by the reforms in 2003. Instead, we expect a new gross income statutory maintenance scheme to be introduced in 2011, and that all clients on either existing scheme will then be invited either to apply to the new gross income scheme or make a private arrangement. It is currently planned that this process will take around three years, after which both of the existing schemes will close.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Jobcentre Plus: Telephone Services

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, of 5 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 1794-5W, on Jobcentre Plus: telephone services, how many calls were received by benefit contact centres in each month in each of the last three years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked the acting chief executive to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves, dated 29 April 2009:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many calls were received by benefit contact centres in each month in each of the last three years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus uses contact centres for a number of services including new claims to benefit (but excluding benefit enquiries). The table below provides information on the total number of calls received by Jobcentre Plus contact centres in each month of the last three years, from March 2006 to February 2009 inclusive:
	
		
			  Calls received by Jobcentre Plus contact centres 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 April — 1,347,920 1,270,097 1,373,527 
			 May — 1,410,836 1,494,634 1,599,042 
			 June — 1,947,139 1,385,229 1,558,995 
			 July — 1,602,935 1,503,454 1,881,447 
			 August — 1,853,699 1,810,741 1,392,754 
			 September — 1,581,764 1,468,596 1,514,106 
			 October — 1,475,913 1,370,292 1,933,292 
			 November — 1,685,332 1,622,254 1,732,641 
			 December — 830,709 855,633 940,345 
			 January — 1,698,352 1,998,319 2,301,754 
			 February — 1,609,820 1,450,419 1,768,980 
			 March 1,911,805 1,804,525 1,357,724 — 
			  Notes: 1. Contact centres went on line in March 2006. 2. Data for March 2009 is not yet available.  Source: Centrevu, Opmis and Brio 
		
	
	I hope this information is helpful.

Motability

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to extend the Motability scheme to people experiencing negative effects from the administration of thalidomide.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Motability scheme is open to anyone who has qualified for the higher rate Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement and has an award length of sufficient duration.
	There are no plans to change eligibility to the Motability scheme.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many medical examinations were referred to Atos Healthcare by his Department in each region in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many face-to-face examinations were carried out by Atos Healthcare on behalf of his Department in  (a) the claimant's home and  (b) each of the medical examination centres in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: The number of medical referrals made to Atos Healthcare from DWP between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009 is 1,767,720. There is no data available by government office region. The information provided is at a national level.
	These figures relate to all referrals made to Atos Healthcare and not all of these relate to face to face examinations. The total number of face-to-face examinations carried out in the claimant's home between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009 is 47,550. The number of face to face examinations carried out for the same period in each of the Medical Examination Centres is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of face to face examinations carried out between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009 in each of the medical examination centres 
			   Total 
			 Aberdeen 2,930 
			 Aberystwyth examination centre 580 
			 Aylesbury medical examination centre 2,820 
			 Ayr examination centre 3,870 
			 Balham medical examination centre 1,220 
			 Banff 220 
			 Bangor examination centre 1,830 
			 Barnsley examination centre 3,000 
			 Barnstaple medical services examination centre 908 
			 Barrow medical examination centre 1,770 
			 Benbecula 30 
			 Berwick medical services examination centre 120 
			 Birkenhead medical examination centre 3,910 
			 Birmingham 19,570 
			 Bishop Auckland medical services centre 2,830 
			 Blackpool (warbreck) medical examination centre 4,820 
			 Blaenau Ffestiniog examination centre 130 
			 Bolton 5,500 
			 Bootle medical examination centre 9,810 
			 Boston examination centre 2,350 
			 Bournemouth medical services examination centre 4,960 
			 Bradford examination centre 5,277 
			 Brecon examination centre 130 
			 Bridgend examination centre 3,200 
			 Brighton medical examination centre 6,700 
			 Bristol medical services examination centre 8,310 
			 Burnley Brun House 4,780 
			 Cambridge medical examination centre 2,840 
			 Campbeltown examination centre 80 
			 Canterbury medical services examination centre 5,720 
			 Cardiff examination centre 8,932 
			 Cardigan examination centre 220 
			 Carlisle medical examination centre 1,710 
			 Carmarthen examination centre 1,910 
			 Chatham medical services examination centre 5,120 
			 Chelmsford medical examination centre 330 
			 Chester medical examination centre 1,980 
			 Chesterfield examination centre 2,870 
			 Colchester medical examination centre 3,000 
			 Colwyn Bay examination centre 2,360 
			 Coventry medical examination centre 6,110 
			 Crewe medical examination centre 2,270 
			 Croydon medical examination centre 2,860 
			 Derby medical examination centre 5,970 
			 Dolgellau examination centre 100 
			 Doncaster medical services examination centre 3,660 
			 Dumfries 930 
			 Dundee 3,120 
			 Durham medical services centre 3,860 
			 Ealing medical examination centre 570 
			 Elgin 30 
			 Exeter medical services examination centre 3,900 
			 Fort William 130 
			 Glasgow A examination centre 26,130 
			 Glasgow B examination centre 200 
			 Gloucester medical services examination centre 2,270 
			 Golspie 40 
			 Greenock examination centre 40 
			 Grimsby 3,200 
			 Guildford medical services examination centre 3,120 
			 Halifax examination centre 1,670 
			 Hastings medical examination centre 590 
			 Haverfordwest examination centre 1,130 
			 Hawick 300 
			 Hereford medical examination centre 1,060 
			 Highgate medical examination centre 2,850 
			 Huddersfield examination centre 3,770 
			 Hull examination centre 5,510 
			 Inverness 1,470 
			 Ipswich medical examination centre 3,470 
			 Islay hospital 10 
			 Keighley examination centre 1,410 
			 King's Lynn medical examination centre 1,730 
			 Kirkcaldy 3,370 
			 Kirkwall 100 
			 Lancaster medical examination centre 1,770 
			 Launceston medical services examination centre 490 
			 Leeds exam centre—medical reception 7,160 
			 Leicester examination centre 8,370 
			 Lerwick 50 
			 Lincoln examination centre 2,680 
			 Llandrindod wells 240 
			 Lossiemouth 70 
			 Luton medical examination centre 6,940 
			 Manchester 25,070 
			 Mann Island medical examination centre 5,100 
			 Mansfield examination centre 5,940 
			 Marylebone medical examination centre 30,130 
			 Newcastle medical services centre 16,850 
			 Newport (Isle of Wight) medical services examination centre 1,020 
			 Newport examination centre 4,250 
			 Newton Stewart 70 
			 Newtown examination centre 320 
			 Northampton examination centre 4,480 
			 Norwich medical examination centre 5,880 
			 Nottingham examination centre 8,300 
			 Oban examination centre 180 
			 Oxford medical examination centre 2,080 
			 Perth 340 
			 Peterborough medical examination centre 3,660 
			 Plymouth medical services examination centre 4,140 
			 Pontefract examination centre 5,080 
			 Pontllanfraith examination centre 3,430 
			 Pontypridd examination centre 7,550 
			 Portree 60 
			 Portsmouth medical services examination centre 4,420 
			 Preston 6,130 
			 Pwllheli examination centre 210 
			 Reading medical services examination centre 4,150 
			 Romford medical examination centre 10,810 
			 Salisbury medical services examination centre 840 
			 Scarborough examination centre 1,380 
			 Sheffield examination centre 9,370 
			 Shrewsbury medical examination centre 3,780 
			 Southampton medical examination centre 4,660 
			 Southend medical examination centre 7,340 
			 St. Helens medical examination centre 3,820 
			 St. Leonards medical services examination centre 2,110 
			 Stirling 3,020 
			 Stockport 4,740 
			 Stoke 7,140 
			 Stornoway 140 
			 Stranraer 160 
			 Sunderland medical services centre 7,230 
			 Swansea examination centre 9,060 
			 Swindon medical services examination centre 2,770 
			 Taunton medical services examination centre 2,020 
			 Thornaby medical examination centre 10,560 
			 Thurso 110 
			 Townhead practice 20 
			 Tredegar examination centre 2,230 
			 Truro medical services examination centre 3,560 
			 Warrington medical examination centre 5,080 
			 Wick 120 
			 Wigan 3,970 
			 Wimbledon medical examination centre 6,280 
			 Wolverhampton medical services 8,980 
			 Worcester examination centre 2,560 
			 Workington medical examination centre 1,860 
			 Wrexham examination centre 3,580 
			 Yeovil medical services examination centre 1,340 
			 York examination centre 2,170 
			 York place 6,440 
			 Total 570,740 
			  Note: All figures provided are rounded down to the nearest 10 and relate to the following benefit areas: attendance allowance/disability living allowance, incapacity benefit, industrial injuries disablement benefit and service personnel and veterans agency.  Source: Medical Services

Temporary Employment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of temporary workers living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of the national median.

Kitty Ussher: This information is not available, as it is not captured in the Family Resources Survey, the data source underlying the "Households Below Average Income 1994/95 to 2006/07" publication.

Unemployment: Young People

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Plymouth under the age of 21 years were not in education, employment or training in each of the last three years.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	Connexions Services provide the Department with an estimate of the number and proportion of 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training, and this information is available on the 14-19 website:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/1419/index.cfm?go= site.home&sid=42&pid=343&lid=337&ctype= Text&ptype=Single
	Figures for Plymouth for each of the last three years are shown in the following table.
	Equivalent information is not available for young people aged between 19 and 21.
	
		
			  16-18 year olds NEET 
			   Number  Proportion (Percentage) 
			 2006 710 7.4 
			 2007 640 6.8 
			 2008 690 7.4

Vacancies

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many job vacancies in  (a) Braintree constituency,  (b) Essex and  (c) England were notified to jobcentres in (i) 2006, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  T otal number of notified job vacancies in England, Essex local authority and Braintree parliamentary constituenc y 
			  2006 
			   England  Essex  Braintree 
			 January 153,312 3,003 271 
			 February 212,248 5,422 499 
			 March 209,404 4,982 496 
			 April 277,748 6,630 623 
			 May 183,291 4,374 486 
			 June 221,130 4,806 355 
			 July 301,379 7,736 406 
			 August 245,845 5,344 468 
			 September 328,761 6,210 479 
			 October 307,865 7,201 653 
			 November 249,232 5,743 427 
			 December 266,798 6,337 436 
			 Total (sum of each month) 2,957,013 67,788 5,599 
		
	
	
		
			  2007 
			  Date  England  Essex  Braintree 
			 January 134,762 3,030 281 
			 February 275,306 5,309 568 
			 March 252,106 4,912 405 
			 April 316,064 6,242 508 
			 May 272,748 5,852 465 
			 June 326,244 7,131 591 
			 July 279,717 6,197 514 
			 August 291,918 6,522 591 
			 September 415,431 8,715 619 
			 October 369,627 8,298 817 
			 November 327,480 7,264 590 
			 December 335,911 7,331 710 
			 Total (sum of each month) 3,597,314 76,803 6,659 
		
	
	
		
			  January 2008 to January 2009 
			  Date  England  Essex  Braintree 
			  2008
			 January 167,538 3,397 350 
			 February 390,824 8,593 724 
			 March 309,509 6,590 721 
			 April 294,506 5,994 657 
			 May 291,373 6,526 441 
			 June 355,367 8,144 523 
			 July 271,897 6,706 462 
			 August 346,587 8,203 625 
			 September 300,383 6,299 578 
			 October 313,928 6,864 512 
			 November 326,910 6,855 702 
			 December 202,896 3,923 418 
			 Total (sum of each month) 3,571,718 78,094 6,713 
			 
			  2009
			 January 102,731 2,241 150 
			  Notes: 1. Data are unrounded. 2. Changes to Jobcentre Plus vacancy handling procedures have led to a major discontinuity in the vacancy statistics pre- and post-May 2006. Consequently, care should be taken in interpreting time-series data. 3. These are not whole economy figures. Coverage relates just to vacancies notified to Jobcentre Plus and as such represent a market share of vacancies throughout the whole economy. This proportion varies over time, according to the occupation of the vacancy and industry of the employer, and by local area. 4. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only. 5. Notified vacancies. Monthly data on the inflow of newly notified vacancies to Jobcentre Plus.  Source: Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System.

Workstep

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in each category of disability have been assisted through the Workstep programme since it was introduced.

Jonathan R Shaw: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Number of individuals who received supported employment between 1 April 2001 and 1 December 2008 
			  Main disabling condition  Number of individuals 
			 All 32,450 
			 Conditions Restricting Mobility Dexterity 5,480 
			 Visual Impairment 1,580 
			 Hearing and/or Speech Impairment 1,590 
			 Long-term Medical Conditions 1,440 
			 Learning Disability 10,210 
			 Mental Health 3,050 
			 Neurological Conditions 2,150 
			 Other Health Conditions 1,360 
			 Prefer not to say 1,590 
			 Unknown 4,000 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 2. The table shows the number of individuals who have been in supported employment for at least one day between 1 April 2001 and 1 December 2008. 3.An individual can be counted only once. If a person has more than one supported employment spell in the period, then their first spell and associated main disabling condition at that time is counted.  Source:  Department for Work and Pensions Workstep Evaluation Database—sourced from data returns from Workstep providers

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

House of Commons: Right of Access

David Amess: To ask the Leader of the House if she will bring forward proposals to reintroduce a Sessional Order to require the Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis to ensure that hon. Members are not obstructed in going to and from the parliamentary estate.

Chris Bryant: It is important that both hon. Members, staff and the general public are not prevented or hindered from attending the House by demonstrations or other assemblies around Parliament, and that people have the right to engage in legitimate protest.
	The Sessional Order did not grant the police any additional powers to maintain access to the parliamentary estate. The draft Constitutional Renewal Bill contained provisions relating to the policing of protests around Parliament. The Government are considering how best to take this matter forward in the light of the Joint Committee's recommendations.

Private Members' Bills

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Leader of the House if she will bring forward proposals to provide more time for consideration of private Members' Bills.

Chris Bryant: We have no current plans to do so.

WALES

Newspaper Office Closures

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on the effect of the closure of newspaper offices on levels of employment in the media industry in Wales.

Wayne David: I recognise the valuable role played by local newspapers within our communities and any office closures are of course regrettable. The Secretary of State and I are working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government and ministerial colleagues to ensure that a way forward is found for the media industry in Wales as a whole.

Energy Policy

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues and the Welsh Assembly Government on energy policy affecting Wales.

Paul Murphy: I have regular meetings with the First Minister at which we discuss a number of issues including energy policy.
	I have also recently met with a number of representatives of the energy sector to discuss projects and issues relating to Wales.

Private Security Industry

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the use of registered and unregistered workers in the private security industry working on contracts with public sector bodies in Wales.

Wayne David: I am not aware of any instance when any unregistered workers are illegally employed on contracts with public sector bodies in Wales. As the hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware, the Private Security Industry Act of 2001 states that security companies can only operate with employees who hold a Security Industry Authority Licence.

Bilingual Juries

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the use of bilingual juries in courts in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I have discussed this issue with the Secretary of State for Justice and with the First Minister and an announcement will be made shortly.

Sheep Farming

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on the likely effect on the sheep farming industry in Wales of compulsory electronic ear tagging.

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next expects to meet representatives of the National Farmers Union in Wales to discuss proposals for the electronic tagging of sheep.

Wayne David: My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on a range of issues including farming in Wales. In addition my right hon. Friend attended the Royal Welsh Show in July last year and met farmers' unions.

Business: Government Assistance

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on support for businesses in Wales in the economic downturn.

Paul Murphy: Working in close partnership, the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government are doing all we can to help Welsh businesses and households through these challenging times.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Archaeological Sites: Planning Permission

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to devolve to local authorities the power to grant planning consents in respect of archaeologically important sites.

Barbara Follett: This can only be taken forward through primary legislation. We hope to introduce the Heritage Protection Bill at the earliest opportunity, subject to the availability of parliamentary time.

Battles

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department has had recent discussions with representatives of the Battlefields Trust on the protection of sites of historic battles in England; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: I am having discussions with the Battlefields Trust on how these sites can contribute to tourism and become educational learning resources.
	English Heritage, the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment, is also working closely with the Battlefields Trust to protect the 43 registered battlefields in England. For example, English Heritage has just offered the trust a grant to support its conservation work, including expanding its network of volunteers to create local champions for every registered battlefield in England.

Conservation Areas

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will bring forward proposals to merge the process of gaining conservation area consent with that for gaining planning permission.

Barbara Follett: This can only be taken forward through primary legislation. We hope to introduce the Heritage Protection Bill at the earliest opportunity, subject to the availability of parliamentary time.

Cultural Heritage: Seas and Oceans

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will bring the registers for listing, scheduling, registration and designation of marine sites together into one register.

Barbara Follett: This can only be taken forward through primary legislation. We hope to introduce the Heritage Protection Bill at the earliest opportunity, subject to the availability of parliamentary time. In the interim, as part of the non-statutory heritage protection reform programme, English Heritage will bring together all of these separate registers on to a fully accessible, integrated, searchable online database.

Digital Technology

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Digital Britain Interim Report, how much his Department has budgeted for the planned National Media Literacy Plan.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 27 April 2009
	 In response to the Interim Digital Britain Report, Ofcom convened a working group which has made recommendations for a National Media Literacy Plan. This was published on 16 April and is available on Ofcom's website (www.ofcom.org.uk). No decisions have yet been taken on their recommendations and therefore no budget has yet been allocated.
	We shall respond in the final Digital Britain report which will be published in the summer.

Listed Buildings

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to grant owners of properties a right to appeal against a listing decision taken in respect of their property.

Barbara Follett: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport cannot introduce a formal right of appeal against a listing decision without primary legislation. A mechanism already exists that enables people to seek a review of a listing decision if they consider a decision about a building has been wrongly made. Anyone can write to the Listing Branch at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5DH requesting that a decision be reconsidered. This should be done within 28 days of notification of the listing decision. An example of a wrongly made decision would be where there has been a factual error or some irregularity in the process, which has affected the outcome.

Overseas Visitors: Statistics

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reason the publication of statistics on foreign visitor numbers to the UK for the first quarter of 2009 was delayed.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 27 April 2009
	 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for publication of the numbers of foreign visitors to the UK. They advise that their Overseas Travel and Tourism First Release document, which was due to be published on 16 April 2009, has been cancelled. This was to allow further quality assurance work to be carried out on the newly designed survey and processing system being used on the International Passenger Survey in 2009.
	The ONS will next publish the Overseas Travel and Tourism figures on 14 May 2009 and this will include the figures for January, February and March 2009.

Public Libraries: Inspections

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what inspections the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council undertakes of local authority libraries.

Barbara Follett: The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) does not have a statutory role to undertake inspections, but it does provide guidance and advice on best practice to local authority library services. These can include peer reviews of individual services. As the Government's strategic adviser on libraries, the MLA feeds back intelligence and advises on library policy.

Swimming

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidelines his Department issues to county councils on the provision of swimming facilities.

Andy Burnham: Sport England have advised that guidelines regarding the strategic planning and development of swimming pools is available from their website at:
	http://www.sportengland.org/se_facilities_swimming_pool_dgn_complete_v001-2.pdf
	In addition, the Amateur Swimming Association also provides advice on swimming pool development in general, and specifically on technical and operational issues.

Tourism: Transport

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions his Department has had with the Department of Transport on support for the domestic tourism industry through  (a) the rail network,  (b) public bus services and  (c) road construction.

Barbara Follett: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport worked with the Department for Transport on the development of our "Sustainable tourism in England: A framework for action—meeting the key challenges" document, which we published in March 2009. An electronic copy of this has been deposited in the House Library.
	In addition, we will be convening a joint meeting of ministerial colleagues shortly, including one from the Department for Transport, to discuss cross-cutting issues relevant to the promotion of the visitor economy.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Subsidies

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many farmers transferred their entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme in each year since 2005;
	(2)  what the monetary value of transferred entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme has been in each year since 2005;
	(3)  how many transferred entitlements under the single payment scheme from each year since 2005 are awaiting payment; and what estimate he has made of the monetary value of such outstanding payments in each such year.

Jane Kennedy: The number of farmers who have transferred entitlements and the total monetary value of entitlements transferred under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) for each scheme year is:
	
		
			  SPS scheme year  Number of farmers  Total value (euros) 
			 2006 3,625 44,622,442.69 
			 2007 5,143 61,112,045.31 
			 2008 5,282 63,602,726.63 
		
	
	Farmers were only permitted to transfer entitlements for the 2006 SPS year onwards.
	There are approximately 300 farmers involved in transfers for 2006, 2007 and 2008 whose entitlements are still undergoing correction which may affect these figures.
	The total number of transfers for the 2009 SPS year will not be available until the processing of all transfer applications has been completed. To date, for 2009 around 2,000 farmers have transferred entitlements with an estimated valued of 22 million euros.
	It is not possible to estimate the number or the monetary value of outstanding payments. Even though an entitlement has been transferred, the farmer receiving the entitlement may not necessarily have activated it on his SPS claim. An entitlement that has not been activated will not attract a payment for that scheme year. Therefore transfers of entitlements do not correlate directly into payments under the SPS.

Departmental Buildings

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what properties his  (a) Department and  (b) Department's (i) executive agencies and (ii) the non-departmental public bodies have sold in each of the last five years; and how many of these have been sold for housing development.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Shown in the following table from the available departmental records are the numbers of disposals of surplus land and buildings noted as completed by the Department, including its executive agencies, during the period in question with the number of sites specifically sold for housing noted against each year:
	
		
			   Sites  sold for housing  Number of property holdings 
			 2004-05 0 6 
			 2005-06 1 13 
			 2006-07 0 7 
			 2007-08 0 8 
			 2008-09 1 14 
		
	
	The Department does not currently hold details of disposals for its non-departmental public bodies.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what efficiency savings his Department has made in each of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of the amount saved by such means in each year.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA has delivered significant efficiencies during the last three years. We report on the delivery against our efficiency targets twice yearly, in the departmental and autumn performance reports.
	 2006-07 and 2007-08 (years 2 and 3 of the 2004 Spending Review period)
	Under the 2004 Spending Review (SR04), DEFRA was required to deliver by the end of 2007-08 efficiencies of £610 million compared with 2004-05. At the end of March 2008, DEFRA had delivered total net financial efficiency gains of £752 million per year, with £433 million arising from the Department together with its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDBPs) and £357 million from local authorities. Even after carrying forward £38 million cashable and sustainable gains to the 2007 comprehensive spending review (CSR07), DEFRA's efficiency programme (excluding local authorities) delivered a total of £84 million financial gains in excess of its target for the SR04 period. The table details the progress made in delivery by area in both 2006-07 and 2007-08 (2007-08 figures are cumulative across the SR04 period) against the SR04 savings baseline.
	
		
			  £ million 
			Efficiency gains 
			  Initiative  Original target  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Departmental Reform 14 9 11 
			 E-nabling and IT 11 13 22 
			 Corporate services reform 3 6 7 
			 Environment Agency 73 91 129 
			 England Rural Development Programme IT 30 15 15 
			 Catalyst 8 0 0 
			 Animal Health (was the State Veterinary Service) 4 4 7 
			 Rural Payments Agency Change Programme 52 0 0 
			 Emissions Trading 43 2 43 
			 Procurement 30 56 101 
			 Executive Agencies 17 27 55 
			 Modernising Rural Delivery 13 10 14 
			 Estates 3 3 3 
			 Renew DEFRA Programme 0 0 8 
			 Other 10 7 17 
			 Sub-Total 311 245 433 
			 Waste Management 299 248 357 
			 Total 610 493 (1)790 
			 (1) Total efficiencies delivered, of which £38 million was carried forward to CSR07 resulting in net saving of £752 million.  Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding 
		
	
	 2008-09 (year 1 of the 2007 comprehensive spending review period)
	Full year efficiency savings delivered in 2008-09 are still being validated for inclusion in the 2009 departmental report. Our latest published progress report, for the first half of 2008-09, was included in DEFRA's autumn performance report published in December 2008 at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/apr/apr2008.pdf
	At the end of September 2008, the Department had, subject to further validation, confidence in delivering £218 million of full year savings against its target for 2008-09 of £228.4 million. Delivery of savings up to the end of September included the following:
	Over delivery of SR04 efficiency savings: £19 million.
	Allocative savings: £41 million, based on reduced input costs in lower value activities, allowing savings to be released and factored into budgets for higher value activities, leading to improved outputs.
	Delivery of other value for money improvements including:
	programme areas following zero based reviews: £14 million;
	minor programmes and projects: £11 million; and
	cross-departmental core functions: £12 million.
	DEFRA's original CSR07 target of £379 million was reduced to £306 million following the creation of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in October 2008 and the transfer of elements of the target—and delivery against these—to DECC. However, it has now been increased by an additional £75 million to £381 million to reflect DEFRA's contribution to additional cross-Government VfM savings confirmed in the 2009 Budget. A full report on delivery in 2008-09 will be published in the next departmental report.

Departmental Training

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent on media training for each Minister in his Department in each of the last three years; how many sessions have been provided; and who provided such training.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 2 April 2009
	Training is provided to Ministers as necessary in order to carry out their duties effectively under the Ministerial Code.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volume of doorstep waste was collected by each local authority in the latest period for which figures are available, ranked in descending order; and what proportion of the total domestic waste generated in each local authority area that figure represents, ranked in descending order.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 24 April 2009
	 I am arranging for a table showing the information requested to be placed in the Library of the House.

Fishing Catches

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will estimate the level of over-fishing undertaken by foreign trawlers in the Bristol channel.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The inner parts of the Bristol channel are considered Internal Waters eastward of a base-line between approximately Worms Head and Morte Point. No foreign vessels are allowed to fish within six miles to the west of this line. Beyond that in the UK six to 12 mile belt, only French and Belgian vessels have any access to fish.
	Levels of fishing effort and catches of quota species by all member state vessels outside the six mile limit may be subject to both EU and member state controls. Overfishing of days or quotas by vessels flying the flag of other member states is a matter for the respective member states' enforcement authorities. The Marine and Fisheries Agency direct fishery protection activity, conducting inspections at sea within UK fishing limits and in UK ports to ensure that vessels from all member states are completing logbook records of their catches correctly. Most, if not all, of the other member state vessels fishing in the Bristol channel and the Celtic sea are above 15 metres in overall length. They are therefore also monitored by satellite position reports sent to the UK Fishery Monitoring Centre in the Marine and Fisheries Agency headquarters in London.

Hydroelectric Power

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the evidential basis is for his Department's policy proposal to require a mandatory screen installation programme for all waterway abstractions.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Extensive evidence and reference to fish entrapment by abstractions was given in the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review 2000. The proposed regulations would extend the current arrangements for salmon to other freshwater fish species, to be applied on a risk-based approach and to fulfil the water framework directive requirements. It is not intended to require mandatory screening of all abstractions.

Hydroelectric Power

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications for abstractions and empowerment of hydro energy schemes have been  (a) received and  (b) approved by the Environment Agency in each month of the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The number of abstraction and impounding licence applications received and new licences granted for hydropower schemes is given in the following tables. The Environment Agency introduced a national water resources authorisations receipt tracking system in November 2008. As a result, data on the number of applications received are only available from November onwards.
	
		
			  Abstraction and impoundment applica tions  received for hydropower 
			  Month  Number 
			  2008  
			 November 1 
			 December 4 
			   
			  2009  
			 January 1 
			 February 5 
			 March 8 
			 April 5 
			   
			 Total 24 
		
	
	
		
			  Abstraction and impoundment licences grunted for hydropower 
			  Month  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			 January 0 2 0 0 0 1 
			 February 0 0 1 0 1 7 
			 March 4 0 0 2 1 3 
			 April 1 4 0 0 0 2 
			 May 2 2 2 2 1 — 
			 June 0 1 1 2 2 — 
			 July 0 2 1 1 1 — 
			 August 2 5 2 1 4 — 
			 September 0 6 1 3 2 — 
			 October 0 0 5 2 0 — 
			 November 2 0 0 3 3 — 
			 December 0 1 2 0 0 — 
			 Total 11 23 15 16 15 13 
			  — — — — — 93

Recycling: Schools

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance his Department gives local authorities on the provision of services to collect recyclates from schools.

Jane Kennedy: The DEFRA funded Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is providing a training programme which aims to equip local authority waste and recycling officers with the knowledge and skills to implement effective recycling schemes in schools.
	WRAP also provides resources for schools, including web-based tools to help schools to put recycling into practice, and targeted teaching resources for primary and secondary schools.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2009,  Official Report, column 334W, on waste disposal: fees and charges, whether his Department plans to invite further bids for pilots for charges for the collection of household waste; and whether post-deadline bids will be accepted.

Jane Kennedy: We are not actively inviting bids. However the provisions which were requested by local authorities and the Local Government Association remain on the statute book. A local authority is therefore at liberty to submit a proposal which would receive due consideration.

Water Charges

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Stroud of 19 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 1015-6W, on water charges, what conclusions he has drawn from his most recent assessment of the effect on youth and community groups of changes to surface water charges; and what steps he plans to take in respect of the affordability of surface water charges by such groups.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Ministers have repeatedly said that something is very wrong if customers such as community sports clubs and properties owned by scout associations are facing massive increases in bills as a result of the switch to site area charging for surface water drainage by some water companies.
	Under the Water Industry Act 1991 it is for companies to propose schemes of charges and for Ofwat, as the independent economic regulator for the water industry, to approve them. Government guidance issued to Ofwat in 2000 states that surface water drainage charges for non-household customers should be set in a way that is sensitive to the actual use of the service by different types of premises and that the phasing in of any large, sudden changes in charges should be considered.
	United Utilities, where the problems have mostly arisen, has now announced that it will set its surface water drainage charges for 2009-10 at 2007-08 levels for faith buildings, community amateur sports clubs (and similar sports clubs) and properties owned by scout and guide associations and will develop a long term solution for 2010-11 and beyond. The Government will continue to monitor this issue and engage further with Ofwat as necessary.

Welsh Language

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of establishing the Welsh-language function for each  (a) customer call centre and  (b) helplines operated by his Department and its agencies that operate in Welsh.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The DEFRA helpline does not offer currently a dedicated Welsh speaking helpline but the service provider employs two Welsh speakers who could be transferred if needed by DEFRA particularly during a contingency or emergency. Additionally, the helpline provider has access to the Language Line service who provide simultaneous language translators, including for Welsh.
	The Rural Payments Agency operate a Welsh speaking helpline for the British Cattle Movement Service, at an annual cost of £129,866 inclusive of overtime, ERNIC and superannuation.

Wildlife: Electromagnetic Fields

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department has  (a) commissioned,  (b) evaluated and  (c) undertaken on the effects on (i) the health of wildlife, (ii) wildlife habitats and (iii) wildlife diversity of electro-magnetic fields in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA has not commissioned any research on the effects of electromagnetic fields on the health of wildlife, wildlife habitats or wildlife diversity in the last 10 years. We commission biodiversity research based on priority need, which is currently focused on delivery of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and increasing our understanding of the factors that can affect biodiversity, such as climate change.

TRANSPORT

A303: Stonehenge

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on dualling the A303 in the area of Stonehenge; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: In December 2007 the Government announced the cancellation of the A303 Stonehenge improvement scheme due to a significant escalation in scheme costs. Following our decision to give regions a greater role in determining priorities for major transport schemes with indicative allocations, it is for the south west region to advise on the relative priority of improvements to the A303 alongside other proposed schemes in the region.
	The region's recent advice on its funding priorities recommends an allocation for localised improvements of the A303, to be identified through a study to be undertaken by the Highways Agency, but this does not include dualling the A303 in the area of Stonehenge or elsewhere on the route.
	We expect to be in a position to respond to the advice from the region by the summer.

Driving Tests: Derby

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether motorcycle rider tests will be conducted at test centres in Derby following the implementation of the new test modules.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Motorcycle test candidates in Derby are served by the new multi-purpose test centre at Burton on Trent for both modules of the new practical motorcycle test.
	Burton on Trent is 15 miles from Derby city centre. The journey (avoiding motorways) should take less than 30 minutes.

Electric Vehicles: Safety

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has  (a) commissioned,  (b) undertaken and  (c) evaluated on sound-emitting electronic vehicles and the safety of blind pedestrians.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport has not commissioned, undertaken, or evaluated any research on this subject. Officials did discuss whether quiet vehicles posed a safety risk to blind pedestrians with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and Imperial College in late 2007. It was agreed that there was a lack of data on whether there is such a safety risk in practice. These organisations are considering conducting research on this issue, but we have not as yet seen any results from such work.

Railway Stations: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance issued by his Department to the railway station operators on the provision of refuse bins at railway stations.

Paul Clark: The National Railways Security Programme (NRSP), issued by the Department for Transport to Network Rail and train operating companies, includes requirements and guidance in relation to litter bins at stations. This is because litter bins have been used by terrorists in the past to conceal explosive devices. Due to the sensitive nature of security measures, I am unable to make the guidance public.

Railways: Finance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much compensation was paid to each train operating company in each case of  (a) variations made to franchises and  (b) delays caused by problems with infrastructure or upgrades in each year since 1997.

Paul Clark: Compensation paid to franchise holders in respect of variations made to those franchises is commercially sensitive and cannot be published. Details of the total subsidy paid to train operating companies are published annually in National Rail Trends which is available in the Library of the House.
	Compensation payable in respect of infrastructure upgrades is a matter between Network Rail and the relevant train operating company rather than the Department for Transport.

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department are working on the restoration of double tracks to railway lines; and how much funding has been allocated for such work in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Paul Clark: At least 10 officials in the Department for Transport are working with Network Rail on strategies and major projects that contain proposals for restoration of double tracks.
	The detailed funding allocation by track doubling project by year is a matter for Network Rail. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to his question:
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	Kings Place
	90 York Way
	London N1 9AG

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of adding a second track to the railway line between  (a) Swindon and Kemble,  (b) Yeovil and Exeter and  (c) Oxford and Worcester.

Paul Clark: No estimate has been made by the Department for Transport. These railway lines are owned by Network Rail who are responsible for identifying work that may be required and estimating the cost of doing so.

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what major improvements have been made to the UK rail network in the last 12 months.

Paul Clark: A number of improvements have been made, including:
	 West Coast Main Line
	The 8.9 billion West Coast Main Line upgrade was completed and the new timetable introduced on time in December 2008. This has delivered reduced journey times, an increase in capacity by allowing 45 per cent. more long distance trains out of London Euston, and a full seven-day week fast service to the West Midlands and the North West.
	 Thameslink
	The 5.5 billion Thameslink Programme has already delivered platform extensions at Luton Airport Parkway and Mill Hill stations. Work is now underway at Blackfriars and Farringdon stations to allow 12 car trains to operate at these stations and to improve passenger circulation. Some new trains are now in passenger services on FCC routes, and the number of trains running through central London on the Thameslink route increased from eight to up to 15 per hour in peak hours. There are new journey opportunities for passengers travelling, for example between Bromley South and St. Pancras International with the introduction of additional trains on FCC routes and some Southeastern routes.
	 Waterloo Ticket Gates
	In December 2008, on behalf of the Department, Network Rail (NR) completed the scheme to provide fully operational Automatic Ticket Gates (ATGs) on the main concourse and in the Peak Hour Subway (PHS) at Waterloo Mainline stationone of the busiest stations in London. The scheme was one of the largest of its type in Europe with 152 ATGs plus an additional 13 Wide Aisle gates being installed on the main concourse and in the PHS. The scheme is an essential element in the roll-out of Oyster and ITSO ticketing systems across the South Western network and across London.
	 Access For All
	The Access for All Programme is continuing to install obstacle free, accessible routes into priority stations. 145 stations have been identified for enhancement through to 2015. 20 sites were completed in the last 12 months:
	
		
			  Station Name  Completion date 
			 Boston March 2008 
			 Exeter Central March 2008 
			 Hazel Grove May 2008 
			 Orpington May 2008 
			 Sleaford May 2008 
			 Kingston May 2008 
			 Haslemere May 2008 
			 Purley July 2008 
			 Herne Hill July 2008 
			 Kidderminster August 2008 
			 Balham August 2008 
			 Mount Florida September2008 
			 Barrhead November 2008 
			 Kirkcaldy January 2009 
			 Bracknell February 2009 
			 Sandhills January 2009 
			 Fazakerley March 2009 
			 Oxted March 2009 
			 West Byfleet March 2009 
			 Rutherglen March 2009 
		
	
	This makes 24 completed stations in total, and Network Rail expect to complete a further 20 during 2009-10. In addition, the Access for All Small Schemes Programme has awarded funding of 6.5 million towards a variety of access improvements with a total value of around 16.7 million at over 200 stations during the 2008-09 financial year.
	 Freight
	The Government's Transport Improvement Fund is delivering improvements to freight routes to and from UK ports. In December 2008, the Olive Mount Chord in Liverpool was reinstated while works to Hampstead Heath tunnel have enabled container trains to divert during Olympic construction works on the North London Line.

Railways: South East

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what standards or requirements for catering provision on trains and at stations are included in the Southern Trains franchise; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the service level specification for that franchise.

Paul Clark: There is no specification for the provision of catering on trains or at stations within the current Southern franchise agreement. The Southern franchise agreement, including full details of the service specification, is published on the Department for Transport website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/publicregister/current/shtn/

Rolling Stock

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the future role of the three principal rolling stock companies; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The three principal rolling stock companies are key players in the railway industry and we look forward to them continuing to play their part in the future.

South West Trains

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirements in relation to customer complaints are included in the South West Trains franchise; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the service level specification for that franchise.

Paul Clark: Details of South West Trains (SSWT) requirements for customer complaints are not contained within the Franchise Agreement.
	The South West Trains Passenger Licence obliges them to have a Complaints Handling Procedure approved by the Secretary of State.
	The South West Trains Complaints; Handling Procedure is available on the South West Trains website at:
	https://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/SWTrains/Customerservice/Passengers+Charter.htm#Furtherinformation
	The South West Trains Franchise Agreement, including full details of the service specification, is published on the Department for Transport website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/publicregister/current/sswt

Speed Limits: Castle Point

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the expenditure incurred in installing the average speed camera systems and signage on the A130 Canvey Way in Castle Point.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport has not made any estimate of the expenditure incurred in installing the average speed camera system and signage on the A130. Costs will have depended on the location and nature of the site and are entirely a matter for the Essex Road Safety Partnership.

Tintwistle Hollingworth and Mottram Bypass

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the decision of the Highways Agency to withdraw from the public inquiry on the proposed A57/A628 bypass scheme, if he will review the potential use of the Woodhead tunnel by rail traffic.

Paul Clark: We are keeping the potential future use of the Woodhead tunnel by rail traffic under review as we will need to determine by 2011 whether the Victorian tunnels should be subject to an ongoing inspection and maintenance regime.

HEALTH

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals aged over 65 years resident in each local authority area in the North West were treated for alcohol-related health problems in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available in the format required. However, information from 2002-03 on patients aged 65 or over admitted to hospital, by local authority of residence, with an alcohol-related condition in the North West is shown in the following table:
	
		
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Bolton 1,157 1,266 1,417 1,558 1,739 1,918 
			 Bury 890 903 1,089 1,176 1,255 1,471 
			 Manchester 1,575 1,862 2,199 2,540 2,612 2,887 
			 Oldham 1,137 1,088 1,133 1,188 1,286 1,418 
			 Rochdale 1,007 1,099 1,316 1,448 1,575 1,844 
			 Salford 1,203 1,237 1,367 1,589 1,826 2,025 
			 Stockport 1,573 1,640 1,801 1,974 2,096 2,189 
			 Tameside 715 751 1,109 1,254 1,476 1,661 
			 Trafford 781 927 983 1,129 1,357 1,472 
			 Wigan 1,743 1,907 2,140 2,337 2,581 2,752 
			 Knowsley 863 869 972 1,016 1,079 1,188 
			 Liverpool 2,425 2,506 2,750 3,285 3,852 3,752 
			 St. Helens 975 1,024 1,025 1,076 1,129 1,294 
			 Sefton 1,479 1,598 1,732 2,096 2,290 2,570 
			 Wirral 1,351 1,457 1,722 2,148 2,759 3,179 
			 Halton 797 843 848 887 896 974 
			 Warrington 1,144 1,267 1,267 1,371 1,417 1,660 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 328 425 652 565 774 877 
			 Blackpool 637 667 715 859 965 992 
			 Chester 710 773 920 989 1,054 1,107 
			 Congleton 377 484 575 597 611 641 
			 Crewe and Nantwich 575 694 789 871 972 870 
			 Ellesmere Port and Neston 479 501 615 750 746 782 
			 Macclesfield 761 872 991 1,067 1,076 1,210 
			 Vale Royal 581 646 703 858 961 871 
			 Allerdale 309 702 894 1,005 935 1,076 
			 Barrow-in-Furness 326 391 520 619 663 650 
			 Carlisle 380 590 743 834 895 1,017 
			 Copeland 209 646 682 699 702 739 
			 Eden 159 269 357 340 326 385 
			 South Lakeland 525 605 771 839 940 994 
			 Burnley 572 675 723 655 717 749 
			 Chorley 559 556 510 806 938 1,072 
			 Fylde 386 364 389 451 548 566 
			 Hyndburn 224 248 370 340 485 591 
			 Lancaster 595 706 795 860 1,050 1,215 
			 Pendle 513 573 615 552 627 655 
			 Preston 778 773 691 959 1,020 1,267 
			 Ribble Valley 213 247 298 323 389 417 
			 Rossendale 347 381 410 390 484 528 
			 South Ribble 649 639 527 820 924 1,064 
			 West Lancashire 532 572 597 714 804 925 
			 Wyre 502 510 563 685 782 828 
			  Notes: Includes activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.  Alcohol-related admissions The number of alcohol-related admissions is based on the methodology developed by the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO). Following international best practice, the NWPHO methodology includes a wide range of diseases and injuries in which alcohol plays a part and estimates the proportion of cases that are attributable to the consumption of alcohol. Figures for under 16s only include admissions where one or more alcohol-specific conditions were listed. This is because the research on which the attributable fractions are based does not cover under 16s. Alcohol-specific conditions are those that are wholly attributed to alcoholthat is, those with an attributable fraction of one. They are: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy Alcoholic gastritis Alcoholic liver disease Alcoholic myopathy Alcoholic polyneuropathy Alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing's syndrome Chronic pancreatitis (alcohol induced) Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol Ethanol poisoning Methanol poisoning Toxic effect of alcohol, unspecified Number of episodes in which the patient had an alcohol-related primary or secondary diagnosis These figures represent the number of episodes where an alcohol-related diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a HES record. Each episode is only counted once in each count, even if an alcohol-related diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record.  Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).  Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. However, admissions do not represent the number of in-patients as a person may have more than one admission within the year.  Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital.  Secondary diagnosis As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 19 (13 from 2002-03 to 2007-08 and six prior to 2002-03) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care.  Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series.  Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.  Assignment of Episodes to Years Years are assigned by the end of the first period of care in a patient's hospital stay  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care

Antibiotics

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to restrict the prescription of antibiotics.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not restrict antibiotics but has a policy of appropriate prescribing to support effective treatment of infections and slow down the development of antibiotic resistance. Initiatives contributing to this include a public education campaign explaining that antibiotics do not cure coughs and colds, guidance on prescribing and feedback of local prescribing data to general practice.

Blood Transfusions

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department and its agencies are taking to reduce the potential epidemiological risks from imported blood components.

Dawn Primarolo: The only blood components currently imported from outside the United Kingdom are plasma for fractionation for blood products, and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for the treatment of children up to the age of 16. This is part of a range of measures in place to reduce the risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease transmission.
	Plasma for therapeutic use and fractionation is imported from the United States (US), and is collected in facilities which are fully licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Plasma suppliers use donor selection criteria which meet European Union and US standards, which exclude donors at an increased risk of diseases which can be transmitted through plasma, and screen plasma to FDA standards.
	All fractionated products made from imported plasma are subject to viral inactivation steps. Single units of FFP for children under the age of 16 are virally inactivated using methylene blue treatment.

Dental Services: South East

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of levels of access to NHS dentistry in  (a) Surrey Primary Care Trust and  (b) the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority area for (i) adults and (ii) children; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The number of patients seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24-month period is available in Table D1 of Annex 3 of the NHS Dental Statistics for England, Quarter 2: 30 September 2008 report.
	Table D2 of Annex 3 contains the same information as above expressed as a percentage of the population.
	In both tables, information is provided by primary care trust and by strategic health authority for adults and children. Information is available for each quarter from 31 March 2006 to 30 September 2008.
	This report, published on 26 February 2009, has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the NHS Information Centre website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentalstats0809q2

Departmental Billing

John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in each of the last five months.

Ben Bradshaw: The percentage of invoices paid within 10 days to commercial suppliers is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Percentage of invoices paid within 10 days to commercial suppliers 
			 November 2008 98.14 
			 December 2009 95.69 
			 January 2009 97.02 
			 February 2009(1) 78.19 
			 March 2009 95.56 
			 (1 )Payment performance was lower in February due to the short term impact on Welfare Foods and Healthy Start payments caused by the introduction of a new web based claims system. This system will bring significant benefits to some of the smaller suppliers who will receive their payments more promptly and more regularly. This new system also provides higher security and validation checks. Figures for March confirm that payment performance is back to their usual high standard of 99 per cent. paid within 10 working days.

Departmental Press

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many articles appearing in health care publications and journals in the last six months have been funded in whole or part by  (a) his Department and  (b) its executive agencies.

Ben Bradshaw: There have been 19 advertorials (paid-for articles) in health care publications and journals funded in whole or in part by the Department's Communications Directorate in the last two years.
	To identify this information against a wider definition would incur a disproportionate cost. We anticipate that there would be few additions, but to validate this would require a widespread trawl since the information is not collected routinely.

Dimethyl Fumarate

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the provision of compensation for those people whose health has been adversely affected by the use of dimethyl fumarate in the treatment of medical conditions.

Dawn Primarolo: Dimethyl Fumarate is not licensed as a medicine in the United Kingdom.
	The Medicines Act 1968 allows clinicians to use unlicensed medicinal products in the treatment of patients. Prescribing of unlicensed products does not require any authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
	MHRA Guidance Note 14, The supply of unlicensed relevant medicinal products for individual patients sets out the obligations and the legal framework that apply to prescribers and prescribing organisations.
	This note is available on the MHRA website at:
	www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Regulatoryguidance/Medicines/Guidancenotes
	and a copy has been placed in the Library.
	It is the Department's policy not to make ex-gratia payments to patients who believe their health has been adversely affected by the use of unlicensed pharmaceutical products.

Hospitals: Standards

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls have been made to the Healthcare Commission's helpline for NHS staff to raise concerns about the standards of care at their hospital in each year for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The Care Quality Commission has informed us that the number of calls made to this helpline by national health service staff to raise concerns about an NHS trust was recorded as follows.
	
		
			   Number of calls 
			 2006 4 
			 2007 26 
			 2008 24 
			 2009 9 
		
	
	It has not been possible to ascertain what proportion of calls related to hospitals or to standards of care, or what proportion referred to the same NHS trust at which the staff were employed.

Maternity Services: Standards

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue guidelines for the minimum standard of maternity care based on the UNICEF Ten steps to successful breastfeeding and the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.

Dawn Primarolo: In its guidance on Maternal and Child Nutrition, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) states that all maternity care providers should implement an externally evaluated, structured programme that encourages breastfeeding, using the Baby Friendly Initiative as a minimum standard. The Department supports the NICE recommendations and encourages all national health service trusts to implement these recommendations.
	Prevalence of breastfeeding at six to eight weeks is a key indicator in the Child Health and Well-being Public Service Agreement. The Department supports the implementation of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative and have funded 40 primary care trusts with low breastfeeding rates to implement Baby Friendly Initiative, which includes UNICEF UK's 10 steps to successful breastfeeding.

Medical Treatments Abroad

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS of reimbursing other countries for expenditure on provision of treatment for UK nationals living abroad was in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: Under EU Regulations (1408/71) European economic area (EEA) member states reimburse each other for the cost of providing health care to each other's tourists, workers, pensioners and dependants of the latter two groups. The following table shows the breakdown of claims by other EEA member states against the United Kingdom in 2007-08. The costs relate to UK state pensioners and their dependents and dependents of UK workers, living in other EEA member states. These claims are paid from a central departmental budget.
	There are no similar arrangements with regard to non-EEA countries.
	
		
			  Member state lump sum claims against the UK 
			  000 
			 2002-03 233,200 
			 2003-04 273,909 
			 2004-05 331,900 
			 2005-06 404,100 
			 2006-07 426,600 
			 2007-08 550,300 
			  Notes: 1. Totals are based on estimates of the costs of EEA health care claims made annually for the purposes of provisions made in the Department of Health accounts in accordance with Treasury resource accounting rules. 2. Lump sum claims under Articles 94 and 95 of EU Regulation (EC) 574/72 include claims relating to the family members of workers in home state and claims for pensioners and their dependents 3. Totals are rounded to nearest 100,000. 4. Sub totals may not add up to totals due to rounding.  Source: Resource Accounting and Budgeting exercise

Obesity: Surgery

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many gastric bands have been fitted by surgery in England in the last 12 months; what estimate he has made of the cost of such operations; what guidance his Department has issued on the criteria to be applied in determining candidates for such treatment; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Data are not yet available for 2007-08. Data are provided for 2006-07 and show that there were 706 finished consultant episodes where there was a primary diagnosis of obesity and an insertion of a gastric band as a main operation carried out in England.
	The reference costs information details the national average of a variety of procedures and treatment undertaken by the national health service in England. It also provides information on the cost to the NHS of buying in services from non-NHS providers in England. However, the cost of gastric band operations cannot be separately identified due to the way that data are collected.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has set Guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children, available at:
	www.nice.org.uk/CG43
	A copy has been placed in the Library. This guidance is for both health and non-health professionals, and contains guidance on when bariatric surgery may be considered as an option. Gastric bands are only one type of procedure recommended for the treatment of obesity by NICE.
	It is up to primary care trusts as local commissioners and providers of services to determine the most appropriate methods to deliver health care to their populations, based on clinical need and effectiveness, and following medical advice.
	 Notes:
	1. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE):
	A finished consultant episode (FCE) is defined as a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year.
	2. Number of episodes in which the patient had a (named) primary diagnosis:
	These figures represent the number of episodes where the diagnosis was recorded in the primary diagnosis field in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record.
	3. The ICD-10 code used to identify Obesity is as follows:
	E66Obesity
	4. Main procedure:
	The main procedure is the first recorded procedure or intervention in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main procedure when looking at admission details, (e.g. time waited), but a more complete count of episodes with a particular procedure is obtained by looking at the main and the secondary procedure.
	5. The OPCS codes used to identify a gastric band insertion is as follows:
	G30.3Partitioning of stomach using band
	 Data Quality
	HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England. Data is also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.
	 Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Orphan Drugs

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's definition of  (a) orphan and  (b) ultra-orphan drugs is.

Dawn Primarolo: A medicinal product may be designated as an orphan medicinal product within the European Union if:
	it is intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a life-threatening or chronically debilitating condition affecting no more than five in 10,000 persons in the European Union at the time of submission of the designation application (prevalence criterion); or
	it is intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a life-threatening, seriously debilitating or serious and chronic condition and without incentives it is unlikely that expected sales of the medicinal product would cover the investment in its development; and
	no satisfactory method of diagnosis, prevention or treatment of the condition concerned is authorised, or, if such method exists, the medicinal product will be of significant benefit to those affected by the condition.
	Guidance on the interpretation of these criteria is published on the European Medicines Agency website at:
	www.emea.europa.eu/htms/human/orphans/intro.htm
	There is no formal classification of 'ultra-orphan' drugs. The term has been used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to refer to drugs for the treatment of conditions with a United Kingdom prevalence of less than one in 50,000.

Pregnancy: Health Education

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to inform parents about the  (a) benefits and  (b) practice of breastfeeding;
	(2)  what guidance his Department makes available to parents on the provision of adequate nutrition to children during infancy.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department has undertaken a range of initiatives to educate parents about the benefits and practice of breastfeeding. These include: advice through the National Breastfeeding Helpline; the DVD From bump to breastfeeding made available to all new mothers and a range of leaflets including Birth to Five, Weaning leaflets, providing advice on nutrition and the breastfeeding leaflet Off to the best start, which is available through the national health service.
	Educational materials are also available at national and local activities held during the annual National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. The Department is also planning to introduce a Change4Life under 2's marketing strategy later in 2009.

Pregnancy: Health Education

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on variations in complementary feeding in infancy, including within (i) different ethnic groups and (ii) socially disadvantaged groups.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department's Infant Feeding survey, conducted every five years, collects information on infant feeding practices adopted by mothers from the birth of their baby until the age of 10-months. It provides national estimates of breastfeeding incidence and prevalence as well as capturing data on other aspects of infant feeding, such as the use of breast milk substitutes and information about weaning practices and age of introduction of complementary foods. Analysis includes a breakdown by age, socio-economic group and ethnicity. The next survey will be undertaken in 2010.
	The Department and the Food Standards Agency are also jointly planning to carry out a diet and nutrition survey of infants and young children aged four months to eighteen months in the United Kingdom. The new survey will aim to gather detailed information about the diets of a representative sample of infants and young children in the UK, and will serve to bridge the gap in data between the age groups covered by the Infant Feeding Survey and the National Diet and Nutrition Survey.

Pregnancy: Health Education

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to promote the Healthy Start scheme among eligible women; and what evaluation he has made of the effect of the scheme on the nutritional benefits for mothers and young children.

Dawn Primarolo: Every family with children newly eligible for Healthy Start is sent an invitation to apply. Information about the scheme is also included in every Government leaflet about the qualifying benefits or tax credits, the Pregnancy and Birth to five books given out by midwives, and at: www.healthystart.nhs.uk
	The National Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services expects health professionals to signpost the scheme to all pregnant women and families with young children. We provide application leaflets and other materials for use by midwives and health visitors, and distribute the application leaflets to general practitioner surgeries via the Waiting Room Information Services scheme.
	Longer term plans to evaluate the impact of Healthy Start have been scoped and appropriate research will be commissioned shortly.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for which long-term conditions entitle patients to free NHS prescriptions; and how many patients received free prescriptions for each condition in each of the last three years.

Dawn Primarolo: A person is entitled to apply for a medical exemption certificate if they have:
	a permanent fistula (including caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy, or ileostomy) which requires continuous surgical dressing or requires an appliance;
	forms of hypoadrenalism (including Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential;
	diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism;
	diabetes mellitus (except where treatment of the diabetes is by diet alone);
	hypoparathyroidism;
	myasthenia gravis;
	myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement);
	continuing physical disability which prevents the patient from leaving his residence without the help of another person; or
	they are undergoing treatment for cancer, the effects of cancer or the effects of current or previous cancer treatment (from 1 April 2009).
	To claim exemption from national health service prescription charges the person must hold a valid exemption certificate and complete the declaration on the reverse of the prescription form.
	The information requested on how many patients received free prescriptions for each condition is not collected. However, in England 88 per cent. of prescription items are already dispensed free of charge.

Social Workers

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many social workers qualified in each year from 2000 to 2008; and how many vacancies for newly-qualified social workers there were in each of those years.

Phil Hope: The number of newly qualified social workers for adult and children's services in each year from 2000 to 2008 in England is set out as follows. Figures for 2008-09 are not shown as they do not cover the full year yet.
	
		
			   Diploma in social work  Social work degree  Total 
			 2000-01 3,333  3,333 
			 2001-02 3,510  3,510 
			 2002-03 3,540  3,540 
			 2003-04 3,894  3,894 
			 2004-05 3,389 4 3,393 
			 2005-06 2,017 1,037 3,054 
			 2006-07 415 2,976 3,391 
			 2007-08 129 4,439 4,568 
			 Total 20,227 28,683 37,139 
			  Note: The numbers are from 1 August 2000 onwards and broken down by academic years.  Source: General Social Care Council 
		
	
	Information on the number of vacancies for newly-qualified social workers is not held centrally. Recruitment of social work staff is a matter for the employer concerned.

South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria Monitor applied in 2006 when judging the capacity of South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Trust to provide high quality health care.

Ben Bradshaw: We are informed by the Chairman of Monitor (the statutory name of which is the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts) that Monitor's assessment of all applicant NHS trusts and mental health trusts is focused around three key criteria:
	legally constituted;
	well governed; and
	financially viable.
	Monitor's assessment of governance includes clinical governance issues that could affect the quality of care provided. Monitor's assessment approach covering clinical governance at the time of the South Staffordshire application in 2006 included:
	review of trust processes;
	review of performance data;
	meetings with the trust's strategic health authority and primary care trust(s); and
	benchmarking.
	All NHS foundation trusts (NHS FTs) are required to comply with their terms of authorisation. The terms of authorisation are a set of detailed requirements covering how NHS FTs must operate. They include:
	the general requirement to operate effectively, efficiently and economically;
	requirements to meet healthcare targets and national standards; and
	the requirement to cooperate with other NHS organisations.

Teenage Pregnancy

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many teenage pregnancies there were in England in each year since 1997; and how many there were in each parliamentary constituency in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated April 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many teenage pregnancies there were in England in each year since 1997; and how many there were in each parliamentary constituency in the most recent period for which figures are available. (271184)
	Available figures are estimates of the number of conceptions that resulted in a live birth and/or stillbirth (a maternity) or a legal termination.
	Numbers of conceptions to women aged under 18 in England, for the years 1997 to 2007 (the most recent year for which figures are available), are shown in the attached table. Figures for 2007 are provisional.
	Information on conceptions is not routinely published for parliamentary constituencies. Figures cannot be provided by parliamentary constituency because of the risk of disclosing individual's information, due to small differences between the parliamentary constituency and local authority boundaries. Conception figures for local authorities can be found at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/product.asp?vlnfc=15055
	
		
			  Number of conceptions to women aged under 18 in England. 1997-2007( 1) 
			   Under 18 (number) 
			 1997 40,463 
			 1998 41,089 
			 1999 39,247 
			 2000 38,700 
			 2001 38,461 
			 2002 39,350 
			 2003 39,553 
			 2004 39,593 
			 2005 39,804 
			 2006 39,170 
			 2007(1) 40,298 
			 (1) Figures for 2007 are provisional.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Data Protection

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's IT security hierarchy.

Gareth Thomas: It is not in the interest of the security of the Department, or that of the public, to disclose detailed information pertaining to electronic breaches of security of the Department's IT systems. Disclosing such information would enable criminals and those who would attempt to cause disruptive threats to the Department to deduce how to conduct attacks and therefore potentially enhance their capability to carry out such attacks.

Forests: Conservation

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will take steps to  (a) reduce rates of deforestation in developing countries and  (b) provide assistance for people in areas of developing countries with high levels of deforestation.

Gareth Thomas: Incentives to developing countries to reduce deforestation will be negotiated at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention in Copenhagen in December 2009. In advance of international agreement on how to provide these incentives we need to help build the capacity of developing countries to reduce deforestation. Last December, the UK announced a contribution of up to 100 million to support such work. This is in addition to a 15 million contribution to the World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility which is helping developing countries prepare themselves to access larger future incentives for reducing deforestation.
	Last year the UK committed 60 million to help reduce deforestation and poverty in the Congo Basin. This will help pay for the costs of conserving forests so that they can continue to provide local communities with their needs while maintaining the environmental benefits they provide to the global community.

G20: Internet

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department provided to the G20 Voice programme; and for what purposes such funding was used.

Gareth Thomas: The total amount of funding provided by the Department for International Development for the G20 Voice programme was 49,700. This covered travel and subsistence costs for bloggers from the developing world; technical support and costs associated with the briefing day. Initial indications show that the programme reached a global audience of 14 million.

International Assistance

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department monitors the effects on  (a) levels of employment,  (b) life expectancy,  (c) the incidence of human rights abuses and  (d) quality of life of the steps it takes towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) is committed to evidence-based policy making. DFID considers all relevant factors, including those listed, in developing strategies to ensure achievement of the millennium development goals.
	Globally, levels of employment, life expectancy, human rights abuses and quality of life are assessed by the United Nations and other international organisations. DFID monitors progress towards the millennium development goals through the UN's database and uses these statistics to inform policy, resource allocations and strategic direction.
	DFID also assesses the contribution of the UK's development assistance towards the millennium development goals through individual programme monitoring and also by commissioning a comprehensive series of independent evaluation studies which were reported on in 2008 in the Independent Evaluation in DFID annual report and scrutinised since December 2007 by the Independent Advisory Committee for Development Impact. All evaluation reports are published on the DFID website:
	www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdifd/evaluation.asp

Malawi: Health Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the Malawi health worker support system funded by his Department on the take-home pay of  (a) nurses and  (b) doctors in Malawi.

Ivan Lewis: The Emergency Human Resource Programme (EHRP) provides for salary top ups of 52 per cent. for 11 cadres of health workers including nurses and doctors. This top up has been maintained since 2004 with nurses and doctors also benefiting from a separate 20 per cent. civil service-wide pay increase, as well as modest yearly increases.
	According to data from the current financial year our assessment is that the gross pay of nurses now ranges from approximately 63 a month for newly recruited nurse technicians to 262 a month for Senior Nursing Officers. This compares favourably with, for example, teachers, who receive between 50 and 142 per month. Doctors salaries range from approximately 260 to 365 per month. Our assessment shows that there has been an increase of between 50 and 100 per cent. in the take home pay for doctors and nurses between 2004 and 2009. We believe that this has been a very important incentive for improved retention and morale, and has helped to reduce outward migration.

Malawi: Health Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the progress against objectives of the health worker support system in Malawi funded with the assistance of his Department.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) has been supporting the Emergency Human Resource Programme (EHRP) since implementation began in 2005. Progress against the objectives of the EHRP is assessed on a bi-annual basis in national health sector reviews. Progress to date has been very encouraging, with objectives likely to be met. For example, the number of doctors graduating has increased from 17 per year in 2004 to 60 per year currently; the number of nurses leaving Malawi to work overseas has fallen from around 100 annually in 2002-04 to around 30 annually in 2007-08; and there are 40 per cent. more doctors and nurses practising in the public health system than four years ago.
	A formal evaluation of the EHRP will be conducted in the second half of 2009, with results due in early 2010. DFID is commissioning this evaluation on behalf of the Ministry of Health and all other partners. It will provide valuable lessons for Malawi and also for other low-income countries with public sector human resource crises.

Malawi: Health Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has made an assessment of changes in the  (a) accommodation,  (b) training and  (c) other support costs for workers in the Malawian health system since the health workers support system was implemented with the assistance of his Department.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) is assessing the impact of the Emergency Human Resource Programme (EHRP) on an on-going basis most recently at the national health sector review of April 2009.
	 (a) On accommodation, the EHRP is funding a major staff house-building programme. Model houses have been completed and approved, 250 additional staff houses are under construction and further 250 are being rehabilitated. On completion this will create a major incentive for staff to work in rural areas.
	 (b) The EHRP has made very positive progress on training targets, and is meeting its objective to
	'expand training capacity by 50%, and more in key cadres, with a focus on all nurses having basic mid-wife skills'.
	There has been an increase of 50 per cent. or more in enrolment in training institutions; more and better tutors; and better infrastructure. The College of Medicine has expanded, and improved quality, to become a model medical school for southern Africa.
	 (c) Other support costs for health workers have often come from district budgets under Malawi's decentralised structures. For example, in Mchinji District funds have been used for solar power for staff accommodation and health centres, staff transport costs and district-level training and supervision. Such support creates incentives for staff to continue working in isolated rural posts.

Malawi: Health Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his most recent assessment is of the effectiveness of his Department's funding for the health worker support system in Malawi on  (a) the retention of Malawian health workers,  (b) the return of Malawian health workers to that country and  (c) the migration of health workers from other developing countries to Malawi.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) is assessing the impact of the Emergency Human Resource Programme (EHRP) on an on-going basis most recently at the national health sector review of April 2009.
	 (a) More Malawian health workers are being retained within the public health system. For example, the number of nurses leaving Malawi each year has reduced from around 100 per year in 2004 to around 30 per year now. Immediate retention of nurses following training has significantly improved following the introduction of a five-year bonding scheme for nurses, with nearly all graduates now moving to the public health system. This has resulted in an improved nurse-patient ratio from one nurse per 4,000 patients in 2004 to one per 3,000 patients today. The doctor/patient ratio has improved from one per 62,000 to one per 53,000 today, and the Malawi Government is now considering how best to introduce a bonding scheme for doctors.
	 (b) EHRP assessments reveal little data on the return of health workers to Malawi, although the Ministry of Health estimates that five to 10 medical doctors have returned to Malawi from abroad since 2004. In reality the return of health workers is not likely to be critical in addressing the human resource crisis with national efforts focused on training and retention. The College of Medicine estimate that of their 254 medical graduates from 1991 to 2005, 60 per cent. are practising full-time in the public health system.
	 (c) Assessments show that the migration of health workers from other developing countries to Malawi is minimal. This, however, may change if pay and conditions improve enough to attract health workers to Malawi from neighbouring countries.

Malawi: Health Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many trained full-time equivalent  (a) doctors and  (b) nurses were employed in public health system in Malawi (i) in the 12 months before his Department provided support for that country's health worker support system and (ii) in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: The information is as follows.
	(i) In the 12 months prior to the Emergency Human Resource Programme (EHRP), in 2004, there were  (a) approximately 140 doctors registered in Malawi, and  (b) 3,250 nurses.
	(ii) The most recent assessment was the December 2007 Human Resource for Health Census which recorded  (a) 190 registered doctors and  (b) 4,450 nurses, in Malawi.
	This assessment demonstrates a near 40 per cent. increase in doctors and nurses, nearly all of whom are full-time and practising. These numbers will continue to grow. The Malawi College of Medicine is now graduating 60 doctors a year, as opposed to 17 in 2004, and will graduate 100 doctors per year in the near future. In addition, 300 nurses now graduate every six months in Malawi, nearly all of whom are recruited and retained within the public health system.

Overseas Aid: Fossil Fuels

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent on overseas projects for the extraction and transport of fossil fuels through the  (a) World Bank Group,  (b) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,  (c) European Investment Bank and  (d) other Government-funded financial institutions in the last five years.

Gareth Thomas: The UK is a shareholder of the Wold Bank and Regional Development Banks; contributing to shared capital. It also makes core contributions to these institutions to support work in the poorest countries. These contributions are pooled. Shareholders cannot specify that their capital or contributions can or cannot be used for specific purposes.
	A list of UK contributions to World Bank trust funds is set out in the answer to the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Mitchell), 26 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1006W.
	Information on funding channelled through World Bank Group, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, European Investment Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank trust funds for the extraction and transport of fossil fuels or fossil fuel projects is not held centrally.
	The UK has made contributions to trust funds operated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that have contributed to fossil fuel projects. In most cases these trust funds receive financial support from multiple investors and it is not possible to determine what the UK contribution is to a specific project. The exceptions to this are the Energy Efficiency Fund and Sustainable Energy Imitative funds where the UK contribution to four fossil fuel projects financed by these funds in the last five years is 864,336. The UK has committed a further 2,671,290 through these funds to other projects, which include renewable energy and industrial energy efficiency.

JUSTICE

Appeals

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in how many and what proportion of the criminal cases referred to appeal judges by the Criminal Cases Review Commission the original conviction was overturned in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The Information is set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Convictions referred  Convictions quashed  Percentage quashed( 1) 
			 1999-2000 19 15 78.9 
			 2000-01 23 17 73.9 
			 2001-02 31 15 48.4 
			 2002-03 38 22 57.9 
			 2003-04 38 29 76.3 
			 2004-05 38 28 73.7 
			 2005-06 38 27 71.1 
			 2006-07 39 25 64.1 
			 2007-08 38 24 63.2 
			 2008-09 23 20 87.0 
			 (1) This figure represents the percentage of those convictions referred by the Criminal Cases Review Commission that were subsequently quashed by a Court of Appeal.

Debt Collection

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what measures in lieu of enforcement restriction orders there are to provide relief for people in debt.

Bridget Prentice: There are a range of options already available to support people with debt problems. These include bankruptcy, individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs), time orders (for those with consumer credit debts) and, from 6 April, the new debt relief order.
	In addition, where a claim has been issued, defendants can admit the debt and make a formal proposal for payment by instalments. If the claimant refuses, the court will make an assessment for payment based on the debtor's income and expenditure, which it can then impose on the creditor.
	Addressing financial problems at an early stage is essential in achieving a sustainable solution and a new practice direction covering pre-action creditor behaviour has been introduced to the Civil Procedure rules from April 2009. This now requires creditors to provide consumers with both information about how to contact them to assist direct negotiation and also details of free advice providers. Failure to do so could result in the court imposing sanctions including disallowing costs.
	Alongside these measures, the credit card and debt collection sectors have recently agreed that those facing payment problems will be offered a minimum 30-day breathing space to make progress in getting their affairs in order once they have engaged with a debt advice agency.

Departmental Billing

John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in each of the last five months.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is contained in the following table:
	
		
			  Month  Percentage aid within 10 day target 
			 November 2008 64 
			 December 2008 59 
			 January 2009 55 
			 February 2009 67 
			 March 2009 66 
		
	
	The Ministry of Justice is fully committed to achieving compliance with the Prime Minister's target of paying suppliers within 10 days where possible, and is a signatory to the prompt payment code.
	The Ministry recognises that its performance against the target must improve, and is implementing a prompt payment improvement programme to address the issue. The results for April indicate that this programme is beginning to have an effect, and further improvements will be evident as the programme progresses.

Departmental Expenditure

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his Department's budget for travel, subsistence and hospitality was in each of the last three years.

Jack Straw: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) does not set a budget for travel, subsistence and hospitality for the Department as a whole. Departmental business groups are allocated money by the central Corporate Finance team and manage their own budgets, including in respect of travel, subsistence and hospitality.
	I have asked for work to be put in hand so that better information is available centrally on this kind of expenditure.

Departmental Security

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many breaches of security at his Department were recorded in the last 12 months.

Jack Straw: MOJ records as incidents any breach of security rules or events that have resulted in or had the potential to result in the loss, damage or harm to assets. The total number of centrally recorded security breaches/incidents occurring within the Ministry of Justice for the 2008-09 reporting year was 5,847, broken down as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Information 394 
			 IT 922 
			 Buildings 4,022 
			 Personnel 2 
			 Operational 238 
			 Other 269 
			 Total 5,847 
		
	
	Of the total, over 80 per cent. relate to incidents involving prisons and courts. This needs to be put into the context of the challenges faced with work in the high-risk prison environment. 2008-09 saw the lowest number of escapes from prisons to date; abscond performance is good and improving.
	The Ministry of Justice is applying the Government's security policy framework to control risks across its organisation.

Enforcement Restriction Orders

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to introduce enforcement restriction orders in 2009.

Bridget Prentice: The Government are committed to supporting consumers in unexpected difficulties.
	The ERO is intended to support those with short-term financial problems only. It restricts all enforcement, including the commencement of claims without leave of the court for up to 12 months where there has been a temporary, sudden and unforeseeable change in an individual's financial circumstances that leaves them unable to meet their commitments. However, as it is intended only for those with short-term problems, the court must be satisfied that there are realistic prospects of recovery, which will allow normal commitments to be met within six months, before an order can be made.
	In view of the strict qualifying criteria, I am not convinced that the ERO itself would provide the level of support that may be necessary for many people. Addressing financial problems at an early stage is essential in achieving a sustainable solution. The ERO was developed as one element of a package of targeted and complementary measures contained in Part 5 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, which are designed to assist the over-indebted. These are intended to provide alternatives for those for whom the current statutory schemes, such as bankruptcy and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), may not be the best option.
	This package includes the new Debt Relief Order, which took effect from 6 April, and is intended to assist those who will never be able to pay their debts and who have minimal assets.
	I consider that introducing the ERO in isolation would introduce a significant risk that consumers would apply for the order in inappropriate circumstances. This would lead to unnecessary pressure on the courts while also deflecting consumers from exploring more appropriate solutions and thereby, potentially, worsening their financial problems.
	The Government are currently reviewing the implementation of the other measures in Part 5 of the Act. It is expected that an announcement will be made on this shortly.

Offensive Weapons: Sentencing

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the Knife Crime Sentencing Quarterly Brief for October to December 2008, what proportion of the figures in Table Four on length of custodial sentences relate to possession of a knife only; and how many people convicted of knife possession received the maximum sentence of four years custody in the period October 2007 to September 2008.

Maria Eagle: The following table shows the numbers of custodial sentences given in England and Wales for offences involving the possession of an article with a blade or point between Quarter 4 2007 to Quarter 4 2008.
	
		
			  Sentence length  Q4 2007  Q1 2008  Q2 2008  Q3 2008  Q4 2008  Percentage change Q4 2007 to Q4 2008 
			  Number of offences   
			 England and Wales(1) 617 642 704 925 825 34 
			
			 Up to and including 3 months 360 366 355 439 396 10 
			 Over 3 months and up to and including 6 months 195 208 266 322 237 22 
			 Over 6 months 57 64 82 157 187 228 
			
			  Percentage of total offences   
			 Up to and including 3 months 58 57 50 47 48  
			 Over 3 months and up to and including 6 months 32 32 38 35 29  
			 Over 6 months 9 10 12 17 23  
			 (1) Total figures include offences where sentence length was not recorded by the police. 
		
	
	According to data recorded by the police on the Police National Computer, during the period October 2007 to September 2008, one offence of possession of an article with a blade or point received a four year custodial sentence, as did two offences of possession of an offensive weapon. Maximum penalties are set at a level to provide for the most serious conceivable case of a particular offence and therefore are rarely imposed.
	These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.

Offensive Weapons: Sentencing

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people have received a custodial sentence on conviction for selling a knife to a person under the legal age for buying a knife in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  what the maximum punishment was for selling a knife to a person under the legal age for buying a knife in each of the last 10 years.

Jack Straw: The requested information is shown in the table. Prior to 1 October 2007 it was illegal to sell a knife to a person under 16 it was amended on that date to 18. The statutory maximum sentence has been a six month custodial sentence or a fine up to 5,000 or both throughout the years shown.
	
		
			  Number of custodial sentences( 1)  and maximum punishment imposed for selling a knife to a young person( 2)  1997-2007 
			   Total number sentenced  Number of custodial sentences  Maximum sentence( 3)  Community sentences( 4) 
			 1997 2 1 6 months 0 
			 1998 2 0 2,000 0 
			 1999 2 0 100 0 
			 2000 0 0 n/a 0 
			 2001 8 0 3,250 0 
			 2002 10 0 4,000 0 
			 2003 17 0 4,000 0 
			 2004 9 0 3,000 0 
			 2005 26 0 2,500 0 
			 2006 51 0 4,500 1 
			 2007 32 0 2,000 0 
			 n/a = Not applicable (1) Immediate and Suspended custodial sentences (2) Criminal Justice Act 1988 added by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 made it an offence to sell a knife or other pointed or bladed object to a person under 16 this was amended by the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 from 1 October 2007 to a person under 18. The statutory maximum sentence is a fine up to 5,000 or six months imprisonment or both. (3) The amount is the most severe sentence that was imposed in that year, months if a custodial sentence s if a fine. (4) Depending on the nature of the community sentence it could be considered a more severe punishment than a fine.  Notes: 1. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. 2. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system  Source: OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice

Prison Accommodation

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in England and Wales shared a cell in each year since 1990.

David Hanson: Figures on cell sharing are only available from 2006 onwards and the data available do not allow for a breakdown of prisoners sharing by individual accommodation types.
	The following table shows the number of prisoners sharing any accommodation such as cells, rooms, wards and dormitories in each of the last three years.
	
		
			   June each year 
			   2006  2007  2008 
			 Population sharing accommodation (number) 30,948 32,332 33,377 
			 Total prison population (number) 77,962 80,689 83,240 
			 Proportion of population sharing accommodation (percentage) 39.7 40.1 40.1 
		
	
	Data on two prisons, Ashfield and Parc, are not held centrally and therefore information relating to them is not included in the sharing figures.

Prison Escapes: Reoffenders

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 23 March 2009,  Official Report, column 180W, on open prisons: prison escapes, how many abscondees from open prisons were convicted of a further offence while unlawfully at large in each year since 1997; and for which offences.

David Hanson: To provide the information requested could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	All those located in open conditions have been risk assessed and categorised as being of low risk to the public.
	Time spent in open prisons affords prisoners the opportunity to find work, re-establish family ties, reintegrate into the community and ensure housing needs are met. For long-term prisoners, these are essential components for successful resettlement and an important factor in protecting the public.
	The police, CPS and Prison Service are working together to ensure that absconders are prosecuted both as a punishment for the offence and to deter other prisoners in the future.

Prisoners: Childbirth

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2009, 
	(1)  how many women who gave birth in prison were aged  (a) 16,  (b) 17 and  (c) 18 years in each year since 2005;
	(2)  how many children were born to mothers in  (a) young offenders' institutions,  (b) secure training centres and  (c) secure children's homes in each of the last three years.

Jack Straw: As a result of configuration problems experienced with the database used to record information on the number of women who have given birth, and the number of children born to mothers, in young offender institutions, this information can not be provided at present.
	A review of the systems used to record these data is being undertaken to ensure effective processes for data collection and retention are in place. Every effort will be made to consolidate historical data and I will write to the hon. Member when this work is complete to provide all the information that is available in response to his questions.
	Some 17 year-olds and women under 17 years of age are held in secure training centres or secure children's homes. Information on the number of women aged 16 and 17 years-old who have given birth in secure training centres (STCs) or secure children's homes (SCHs) was not collected centrally before April 2006. Information for the period since that date is given in table A.
	
		
			  Table A 
			  April to March each year  16 year-olds  17 year-olds 
			 2006-07 1 1 
			 2007-08 2 1 
			 2008-09 0 3 
		
	
	Of the eight women listed in Table A, seven were held in secure training centres and one in a secure children's home.
	The number of children born to mothers in STC and SCH in each of the last three years is given in table B.
	
		
			  Table B 
			  April to March each year  YOI  STC  SCH 
			 2006-07  1 1 
			 2007-08  3 0 
			 2008-09  3 0

Prisons: Costs

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average cost of building a new prison in England and Wales was in the latest period for which information is available.

David Hanson: The average construction cost of new build prisons opened since 1997 is approximately 49 million. Construction costs for individual prisons vary depending on the type and size of the prison.

Privacy

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent companies from video-mapping cities.

Michael Wills: The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) regulates the obtaining, holding, use and disclosure of personal data i.e. data relating to a living individual who can be identified from those data. The Information Commissioner is the independent regulator of the DPA and has stated that the video-mapping of cities does not necessarily breach the DPA. The Commissioner has confirmed that he will keep video-mapping activities under review and will consider any complaints raised. In light of this, I see no need to bring forward legislative proposals.

Sentencing: Greater Manchester

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many criminal offences committed in  (a) Stockport and  (b) Greater Manchester in each of the last five years resulted in (i) a prison sentence and (ii) a suspended prison sentence.

Maria Eagle: The available information is shown in the following table; it shows the number of (i) immediate custodial sentences and (ii) suspended sentences imposed in the Greater Manchester police force area. This data relate to the principal offence sentenced on a particular occasion and it is not known how many offences are represented by the number of sentences recorded.
	The courts proceedings database does not record where the offence was committed and cannot be broken down into a smaller area than Greater Manchester police force area.
	
		
			  Number of immediate and suspended( 1)  custodial sentences imposed in Greater Manchester police force area, 2003-07 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Immediate custodial sentences 7,018 6,623 6,227 6,087 6,200 
			 Suspended sentences 136 155 771 2,680 3,064 
			 (1) Fully suspended sentences for offences committed prior to 4 April 2005, suspended sentence orders for offences committed on or after 4 April 2005. This data is based on the principal offence. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence, the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed; where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offence, the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice.

Theft: Reoffenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many offences of  (a) shoplifting,  (b) robbery of business property and  (c) theft by an employee have been committed by offenders released from prison on an end-of-custody licence;
	(2)  how many  (a) burglaries,  (b) robberies,  (c) sexual offences,  (d) thefts and  (e) drug offences have been committed by offenders released on end-of-custody licence.

Jack Straw: Since the start of the scheme to 28 February 2009 52,117 offenders have been released on ECL, and fewer than 2 per cent. of those offenders have been notified to NOMS as having allegedly committed further offences during the ECL period.
	The table provides a breakdown of the number of offences allegedly committed by offenders during their period on End of Custody Licence (ECL). The offences are broken down into the categories under which this information is stored.
	The table covers the period from the start of the ECL scheme on 29 June 2007 to 28 February 2009 and includes those alleged offences as notified to the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) as at 20 March 2009.
	
		
			  Category of alleged further offence  Number of alleged offences 
			 Burglary 81 
			 Robbery 25 
			 Sex offences(1) 7 
			 Theft and Handling(2) 324 
			 Drug Offences 29 
			 (1) Of the seven alleged sexual offences listed in the table, one has resulted in a conviction; the remaining six cases have either been discontinued prior to trial or resulted in acquittal. (2) Includes all offences of theft and handling and is not limited to thefts only.

WOMEN AND EQUALITY

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

Paul Goodman: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many officials for which she is responsible are suspended; how many are suspended on full pay; for how long each has been suspended; and what the reasons are for each such suspension.

Maria Eagle: The Government Equalities Office do not have any officials who are suspended.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Departmental Air Travel

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials from his Department of each  (a) grade and  (b) directorate have flown by British Airways on official business in each of the last five years; what the (i) destination and (ii) cost of the ticket was in each case; what his policy is on the use of British Airways by his Department's officials; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials of all grades travel extensively on official business, including travelling between the UK and their overseas posting. The FCO establishes Approved Routes to all destinations. These routes are deemed to offer the most efficient, safe and economical journey to the destination. At present the FCO has approved routes to 276 destinations. 92 of these approved routes (33 per cent.) use British Airways.
	Staff make their own travel arrangements within defined cost ceilings and parameters. As travel bookings are made in London and in posts overseas in some 200 different locations, we do not hold information centrally on how many staff in each grade and directorate have flown by British Airways or other airlines in each of the last five years.

Departmental Assets

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department last reviewed its assets and land and property holdings with a view to identifying and disposing of surpluses.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) land and property holdings are kept under constant review against specific criteria including value for money, fitness for purpose and security, with a view to identifying assets which can be disposed of or can be put to better use.
	In line with this, a major overall review began in February 2009 and will continue throughout the current financial year. The purpose of the review is to ensure that the FCO's buildings and other assets are in the right place and are suitable to deliver Government priorities.

G20: Greater London

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to the public purse of the London Summit 2009 was.

Gillian Merron: As at 7 April 2009, the estimated expenditure for the London summit was 14.4 million, excluding policing costs.

Kenya

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the  (a) December 2008 Memorandum of Understanding with Kenya and  (b) the EU-Kenya exchange of letters regarding the transfer of persons suspected of committing acts of piracy of 6 March 2009.

David Miliband: The Kenyan Government do not wish to make public the December 2008 memorandum of understanding with the UK on the transfer of persons suspected of having committed acts of piracy. We must respect their position on this matter. The EU-Kenya exchange of letters is available on the European Union Council website at:
	http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:079:0049:0059:EN:PDF

Somalia: Radioactive Waste

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on allegations of dumping of nuclear waste in Somalian territorial waters; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: We have heard no allegations that nuclear waste has been dumped in Somali territorial waters.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effect on the operational capacity of the joint UN-AU force for Darfur of its lack of key equipment pledged for the mission; and what discussions he has had with his UN Security Council counterparts on the supply of that equipment.

Gillian Merron: There remain significant shortfalls in the deployment of equipment for the joint UN-African Union Hybrid Mission for Darfur (UNAMID) which limits the effectiveness of the force. There is still no pledge for either light or utility helicopters. This remains the single greatest shortfall, with six helicopters required for each of the three sectors. We continue to work closely with the UN and potential contributors, including in the UN Security Council, and call on all parties to facilitate the full and rapid deployment of UNAMID.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the joint UN-AU force for Darfur key deployment milestones discussed at the Tripartite Committee meeting on 31 March 2009 are planned to be reached  (a) in the next quarter and  (b) by the end of 2009.

Gillian Merron: UN-African Union hybrid mission to Darfur (UNAMID) staff briefed the Tripartite committee meeting that deployment of military forces currently stands at 67 per cent. of mandated strength. By the end of June military deployment is anticipated to be at 72 per cent. UNAMID expects all pledged units to have deployed by end of November which would bring military deployment to 92 per cent.
	At 31 March 2009 the police component stood at 1778 police officers (47 per cent. of mandated strength). A further 200 personnel are expected to deploy each month until full mandated strength is reached.
	The civil component was not discussed at the Tripartite meeting but currently stands at 62 per cent.

Torture

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what procedures his Department follows when notified of allegations that a British national has been tortured overseas;
	(2)  whether his Department's staff receive training on  (a) the identification of instances of torture being used against British nationals overseas and  (b) the procedures to be adopted in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: All consular staff are specifically trained on what action to take in response to any allegation of mistreatment. They can also draw on professional support, including from legal advisers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. All our consular staff work under clear internal guidelines which cover the identification of possible signs of torture and mistreatment, as well as the procedures to be adopted in such circumstances.
	The first step when a British national is detained overseas is to seek and secure access by our consular staff. Our staff are instructed to ask our nationals whether they have suffered abuse or mistreatment, and to look out for signs of mistreatment even where an individual does not raise it. They are required to follow up all reports of mistreatment whether they come from the individual themselves, from their friends, family or representatives, or from other sources. What form this follow up action will take will depend on the individual circumstances of the case. Most obviously, we can raise our concerns with the relevant authorities. Whatever action we take however, the objective remains the same: to end the mistreatment, and have the incident investigated and the perpetrators of any abuse brought to justice.
	In many countries, we also raise more general concerns around the mistreatment and abuse of detainees as part of our wider human rights dialogue.

United Arab Emirates: Foreign Relations

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of relations with the United Arab Emirates; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The UK has an excellent relationship with the United Arab Emirates and I had the opportunity to discuss this most recently with the Minister of Foreign Affairs His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 9 February 2009. I visited the United Arab Emirates on 24 November 2009 and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also visited from 3-4 November 2009 when he met His Highness the President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to answer question 246292, tabled on 17 December 2008, on Florence Chitauro.

Gillian Merron: This question was answered on 23 April 2009,  Official Report, column 808W.
	The delay in replying was due to an administrative error.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Death: Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Anne Milton: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many death certificates mentioning the terms  (a) hepatitis A,  (b) hepatitis B and  (c) hepatitis C were issued in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many death certificates mentioning the terms  (a) gonorrhea and  (b) syphilis were issued in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking:
	(1) How many death certificates mentioning the terms  (a) hepatitis A,  (b) hepatitis B and  (c) hepatitis C were issued in each of the last five years. (271725)
	(2) How many death certificates mentioning the terms (a) gonorrhea and (b) syphilis were issued in each of the last five years. (271726)
	Internationally accepted guidance from the World Health Organisation requires only those conditions that contributed directly to death to be recorded on the death certificate. Medical practitioners and coroners are not supposed to record all of the diseases or conditions present at or before death. Whether a condition contributed is a matter for their clinical judgement.
	The table attached provides the number of deaths where the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes recorded indicate that any of the following conditions were mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, either as the underlying cause or as a contributory factor, in England and Wales, for 2003 to 2007 (the latest year available):
	1)  (a) hepatitis A,  (b) hepatitis B,  (c) hepatitis C
	2)  (b) syphilis
	No deaths mentioning gonococcal infection were recorded across this period.
	
		
			  Table 1. Deaths where certain named causes were mentioned anywhere on the death certificate,( 1)  England and Wales,( 2)  2003-07( 3) 
			   Deaths (persons) 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Hepatitis A 10 12 16 13 15 
			 Hepatitis B 147 143 143 170 182 
			 Hepatitis C 386 394 454 436 530 
			 Syphilis 9 13 8 5 2 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). The specific causes of death categorised in Table 1, and their corresponding ICD-10 codes, are shown in the following box. Deaths were included where one of these causes was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. Some death may be counted in more than one category as more than one of the requested conditions could be mentioned. (2) Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 
		
	
	
		
			  Box 1 . Causes of death codes use  International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision  (I CD-10) 
			  Cause of death  ICD-10 code(s) 
			 Hepatitis A B15 
			 Hepatitis B B16, B18.0, B18.1, B17.0 
			 Hepatitis C B17.1, B18.2 
			 Gonococcal infection A54 
			 Syphilis A50-A53

Employment

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the employment rate was for  (a) 19 to 24 year-olds and  (b) those aged between 25 years and retirement age in each quarter since 1 January 2004.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 29 April 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the unemployment rate was for (a) 19 to 24 year olds and (b) those aged between 25 years old and retirement age in each quarter since January 2004. (270927)
	The attached table provides estimated unemployment rates for the age categories requested, for each quarter since 2004.
	The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. The sampling variability of the overall unemployment rate at the end of 2008, measured by the '95 per cent. confidence interval' was + 0.2 percentage points. The sampling variability for specific age groups will be larger, because the estimates are based on smaller samples.
	The figures have been derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. Consequently, the figures from quarter 3 2006 are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Unemployment rate( 1)  by ageThree month periods ending March, June, September and December, 2004 - 08United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Percentage 
			Age 
			19 to 24  25 to 59/64( 2) 
			  2004 Q1 10 4 
			  Q2 9 4 
			  Q3 11 3 
			  Q4 10 3 
			 
			  2005 Q1 9 3 
			  Q2 10 3 
			  Q3 11 3 
			  Q4 11 4 
			 
			  2006 Q1 11 4 
			  Q2 12 4 
			  Q3 12 4 
			  Q4 11 4 
			 
			  2007 Q1 11 4 
			  Q2 12 4 
			  Q3 11 4 
			  Q4 10 4 
			 
			  2008 Q1 11 4 
			  Q2 12 4 
			  Q3 13 4 
			  Q4 13 5 
			 (1 )Unemployment rate is calculated as the number of people in unemployment as a percentage of the economically active population in an individual category. (2 )Men aged 25 to 64 and women aged 25 to 59.  Note: It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc).  Source: Labour Force Survey

Local Government: Manpower

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people were employed in local government in each of the last four quarters.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated April 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many people were employed in local government in each of the last four quarters. (271224)
	Estimates of employment for local government are available from the Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey (QPSES).
	The requested data are attached at Annex A.
	
		
			  Annex A: Local government employment in each of the last four quarters; Headcount( 1,2) , United Kingdom, seasonally adjusted 
			Headcount (thousand) 
			 2008 Q1 2,910 
			 2008 Q2 2,910 
			 2008 Q3 2,910 
			 2008 Q4 2,900 
			 (1) Local government covers those types of public administration that only cover a locality and any bodies controlled and mainly financed by them. It includes police forces and their civilian staff. (2) Police (England and Wales) based on projections.  Source: Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey

Small Businesses: Staffordshire

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many small businesses there are in  (a) Tamworth constituency and  (b) Staffordshire.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated April 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what estimate has been made of the number of small businesses in (a) Tamworth constituency and (b) Staffordshire. (270032)
	Annual statistics on business size and location are available from the ONS release on UK Business: Activity, Size and Location. The table below contains the enterprise counts for 2008. Small businesses are defined as those with less than 50 employment.
	
		
			  Count of businesses 2008 
			   Employment size band 
			   0-49  50-249  250+  Total 
			 Tamworth Constituency 3,150 45 15 3,210 
			 Staffordshire County 28,990 370 95 29,455

Statistics: Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the role of the UK Statistics Authority is in overseeing the publication of the Department of Communities and Local Government's annual council tax statistics.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Sir Michael Scholar KCB (Chair), dated April 2009:
	I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the role of the UK Statistics Authority is in overseeing the publication of the Department of Communities and Local Government's annual council tax statistics. (271512)
	Statistics on Council Tax Levels Set By Local Authorities are official statistics for the purposes of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. Responsibility for their production and publication is a matter for the Department of Communities and Local Government. Under the provisions of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, the UK Statistics Authority is responsible for monitoring the production and publication of all official statistics, for assessment as to whether the Code of Practice for Official Statistics has been complied with in relation to any official statistics, and for designation as National Statistics those official statistics which the Authority determines are compliant with the Code.
	The UK Statistics Authority is required to assess official statistics not currently designated as National Statistics if it is requested to do so by the appropriate body responsible for the production and publication of those statistics. Under section 16 of the Act, where the relevant body has not asked the Authority to assess a set of official statistics against the Code, but the Authority is of the view that it would be appropriate for it to do so, the Authority is required by the Act to notify the body accordingly and to lay a copy of the notification before Parliament.
	On 6 January 2009, the UK Statistics Authority notified the Department of Communities and Local Government that it wished to assess and determine whether the Code of Practice for Official Statistics has been complied with in respect of statistics on Council Tax Levels Set by Local Authorities. A copy of that notification was laid before Parliament. The Authority awaits a response from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Unemployment: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many people under the age of 19 years in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire were unemployed in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people have been made redundant in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire in the last six months.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated April 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many people under the age of 19 years were identified as unemployed in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire in each of the last five years; and how many people have been made redundant in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire in the last six months. (271260  271261)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles labour market statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) and its predecessor the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. However, this source does not support analysis of redundancies at these geographic levels and no alternate source is available.
	It is also not possible to produce analysis of unemployed by small age groups, or for specific durations, for small geographic areas from this source. As an alternative to unemployment analysis of the count of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for small geographic areas has been provided.
	Table 1 shows the number of persons under the age of 19 claiming JSA, resident in the Hemel Hempstead constituency and Hertfordshire.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available of the NOMIS website at
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk.
	
		
			  Table 1. Number of persons aged under 19 claiming Jobseeker's Allowance resident in Hemel Hempstead Constituency and Hertfordshire 
			  As at March each year  Hemel Hempstead  Hertfordshire 
			 2005 136 986 
			 2006 171 1,163 
			 2007 136 1,091 
			 2008 126 916 
			 2009 229 1,707 
			  Source:  Jobcentre Plus administrative system

United Kingdom Statistics Authority: Publications

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the UK Statistics Authority's policy is on publishing statistics scheduled for publication during periods when Parliament has been dissolved.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated April 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the UK Statistics Authority's policy is on publishing statistics scheduled for publication during periods when Parliament has been dissolved. (269907)
	During an election period, government statistical activities continue to be conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics and the UK Government's Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order 2008 (which should be read as though part of that Code). Regular statistical releases (e.g. press notices, bulletins, publications or electronic releases) and reports will continue to be issued and published on dates which have been pre-announced. Ad hoc statistical releases or reports will be released only where a release date has previously been published or release in the Election period has been clearly intended and publicly known when the Election is called.
	In the event that statistics required by Act to be laid before Parliament before publication are scheduled for publication during a period in which Parliament is dissolved, arrangements will be made to lay these statistics, and to publish them, at the first available opportunity after the meeting of the new Parliament. A public announcement to this effect will be made.
	The UK Statistics Authority will continue to monitor the production and publication of official statistics during a period in which Parliament is dissolved, in accordance with its statutory responsibilities, and will offer guidance to individual departments when it feels this is required.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Copyright: Music

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of businesses of each type which have been fined under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1998 for playing music in the workplace without a licence since the licensing requirement came into force.

David Lammy: These figures are not held centrally and the Department has made no such estimates.

Higher Education: Coventry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what funding his Department is providing to  (a) Warwick and  (b) Coventry university in 2009-10.

David Lammy: The Higher Education Funding Council for England announced its provisional grant allocations for 2009/10 on 5 March 2009. Coventry university will receive 54,064,049 and Warwick 77,405,193. Final allocations will be announced in October.

Measurement: Domestic Waste

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment the National Weights and Measures Laboratory made of the accuracy and reliability of refuse bin weighing technology used by local authorities in monitoring levels of household rubbish.

David Lammy: Measuring instruments designed to be used to weigh household rubbish are controlled by the Weights and Measures Act 1985 and the Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2000. The National Measurement Office (previously the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, NWML) is responsible, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, for this legislation.
	The requirement exists for instruments to undergo a type approval process whereby the instrument is submitted to an independent certification body (Notified Body) for assessment against those statutory requirements which include tests designed to assess both accuracy and reliability.
	Each instrument is then subject to further assessment before it is placed on the market and used.
	These checks ensure that individual instruments are made in accordance with the type approval and that they are appropriately installed and are accurate in use.
	A number of such measuring instruments have been submitted to the National Measurement Office and to other similar bodies in other member states by manufacturers and have been assessed and subsequently type approved against the statutory requirements.

TREASURY

Banks: Finance

Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 23 March 2009,  Official Report, column 90W, on banks: finance, by what date he expects the principles set out in the answer to be put into effect by state-supported banks.

Ian Pearson: UK Financial Investments (UKFI) manages the Government's shareholdings in the recapitalised banks. UKFI has a role in scrutinising banks' compliance with the recapitalisation conditions and also in scrutinising remuneration policies, to protect the interests of the taxpayer as major shareholder.
	Royal Bank of Scotland made an announcement in respect of its pay and rewards settlement on 17 February 2009, and Lloyds Banking Group made an announcement on 9 March 2009. Both of these settlements were in line with the principles as set out in the answer of 23 March 2009,  Official Report, column 90W.

Child Trust Fund: Foreigners

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children of migrant workers hold a Child Trust Fund account; and what proportion of those children are normally resident in the UK.

Ian Pearson: Separate statistics are not held on children of migrant workers.

Council Tax: Valuation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1184W, on inheritance tax: housing, when the council tax banding support tool went live; and when the locality data was first used for council tax valuations.

Stephen Timms: The Valuation Office Agency's (VOA's) council tax banding support tool was first made available within the VOA on 27 March 2008. After this date, it was brought into use on a phased basis, following appropriate training; locality data was used from the outset.
	Location has always been a consideration when allocating a council tax band, but this tool is the first to use digitised locality data to support current council tax work.

Credit Default Swaps Market

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to ensure transparency and increase investor confidence in the credit default swaps market.

Ian Pearson: Section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 requires that anyone dealing in or arranging deals in investments be authorised by the Financial Services Authority. This includes firms or individuals trading in credit default swaps. The Government support industry initiatives to clear more credit default swaps through central counterparties (CCPs) and international initiatives to update the regulations governing the credit default swaps market.

Departmental Art Works

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2009,  Official Report, column 919W, on departmental art works, which Minister in his Department selected each item.

Angela Eagle: The information provided in my earlier answer of 30 March 2009,  Official Report, column 919W, related to works of art displayed in all private offices and ministerial waiting rooms, regardless of whether they were selected by serving Treasury Ministers. Information relating to choices by particular Ministers is not available.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what budget his Department allocated to hospitality offered by the Financial Services Secretary in 2008-09.

Angela Eagle: The Financial Services Secretary's office is allocated a budget to cover Treasury business, related conferences and meetings hosted by the Minister, including hospitality and catering. The budget allocated for the full year 2008-09 was 3,000.

Departmental Training

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what awaydays have been attended by staff in  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) HM Revenue and Customs in the last six months; and what the (i) purpose and (ii) cost of each was.

Angela Eagle: No central records are held on teams' away days in Departments or their agencies and the information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. In common with other organisations in the public and private sectors, the Treasury uses away-days for work-planning, training and staff development purposes.

Departmental Working Hours

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the policy of his Department and its agencies is on granting staff time off in lieu for working  (a) in lunch breaks,  (b) in evenings and  (c) at other times outside contracted working hours; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many days off in lieu were granted to staff in  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) its non-departmental public bodies for working (i) in lunch breaks and (ii) at other times outside contracted working hours, in the last year for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: The matter of granting time off in lieu is delegated to Departments and their agencies to determine. There are no central rules governing the use of time off in lieu.
	HMT, Office of Government Commerce and OGC buying.solutions operate schemes agreed at team level by individual managers. The same broad principles apply across the schemes:
	Time off in lieu may not be claimed during a mandatory minimum lunch break period of 30-minutes each day
	Time off in lieu is the preferred compensation for additional work done at other times outside contracted hours; such as in the evening or at weekends.
	Where it is not possible to take time off in lieu, staff may claim overtime with the approval of a manager
	The Debt Management Office has no formal policy for granting time off in lieu; however, in line with the Department and it's other agencies, overtime approved in advance may be claimed for work done outside contracted hours.
	With the exception of OGC buying.solutions, HMT and its agencies do not record the total number of days of time off in lieu granted each year. These records are held within teams by individual managers and there would be a disproportionate cost in collating this information.
	OGC buying.solutions confirms that 76 days of time off in lieu were granted during the last year. This information was retrieved from the time-recording management information system used by OGC b.s. This software is not used by HMT or its other agencies.

Fiscal Policy: Cayman Islands

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he was most recently briefed by officials on the responsibilities of  (a) the Governor of the Cayman Islands and  (b) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in relation to (i) financial regulation and oversight and (ii) compliance with (A) obligations imposed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and (B) other treaty obligations in relation to financial regulation and oversight and disclosure in that territory; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 28 April 2009
	Financial regulation and oversight are not matters reserved to the Governor of the Cayman Islands. Responsibility has been devolved to the Cayman Islands Government.
	Compliance with treaty obligations extending to the Cayman Islands, including those relating to financial matters, is primarily the responsibility of the Territory Government and the UK Government expects them to comply fully with those obligations.
	In April, at the London Summit, the G20 called on all jurisdictions to adhere to the international standards in the prudential, tax information exchange, and Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) areas.

Fossil Fuels: Government Assistance

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial contribution the UK has made to fossil fuel projects via the  (a) World Bank Group,  (b) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,  (c) European Investment Bank and  (d) other Government-funded financial institutions in each of the last five years.

Gareth Thomas: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK is a shareholder of the World Bank and Regional Development Banks; contributing to shared capital. It also makes core contributions to these institutions to support work in the poorest countries. These contributions are pooled. Shareholders cannot specify that their capital or contributions can or cannot be used for specific purposes.
	A list of UK contributions to World Bank trust funds is set out in the answer to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Mitchell), on 26 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1006W.
	Information on funding channelled through World Bank Group, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, European Investment Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank trust funds for the extraction and transport of fossil fuels or fossil fuel projects is not held centrally.
	The UK has made contributions to trust funds operated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that have contributed to fossil fuel projects. In most cases these trust funds receive financial support from multiple investors and it is not possible to determine what the UK contribution is to a specific project. The exceptions to this are the Energy Efficiency Fund and Sustainable Energy Imitative funds where the UK contribution to four fossil fuel projects financed by these funds in the last five years is 864,336. The UK has committed a further 2,671,290 through these funds to other projects, which include renewable energy and industrial energy efficiency.

Stamp Duty Land Tax: Crosby

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people resident in Crosby constituency have benefited from the stamp duty land tax holiday since it began.

Ian Pearson: Data on property transactions up to 2007the most recent year for which figures are publishedcan be found at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/survey_of_prop/index.htm
	The statistics will be updated to 2008, covering the initial period of the stamp duty land tax holiday, in June. This data includes property transactions by type of property and price as well as the number and value of property transactions broken down by parliamentary constituency, including Crosby.

Taxation: Housing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what receipts the Exchequer received from housing-related consumption in each year since 1997 at 2009 prices;
	(2)  what receipts his Department received from housing-related consumption in each of the last 12 quarters, broken down by category of receipt.

Ian Pearson: Figures of housing-related consumption broken down by category of receipt are unavailable.

Taxation: Offshore Funds

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many holders of offshore bank accounts have declared unpaid tax under the Government's partial amnesty.

Stephen Timms: The Offshore Disclosure Facility (ODF) was launched in April 2007 and ran until November 2007. Under the ODF 31,700 people came forward to disclose previously unreported tax liabilities. To date, the ODF has raised 404 million in additional revenue.

Taxation: Overpayments

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means non-taxpaying individuals who have had tax deducted at source from interest income can reclaim overpaid tax; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Non-taxpaying individuals eligible for a repayment of tax deducted at source from interest income can reclaim the tax using form R40, available on the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) website:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tdsi/claim-tax-back.htm
	It can also be obtained from HMRC offices and from banks and building societies.
	For non-taxpayers within self assessment, tax deducted at source from interest income can also be reclaimed through a self assessment tax return.
	As announced at Budget 2009, HMRC will be running a tax back campaign, contacting all 2.7 million pension credit recipients, as likely non-taxpayers, to encourage them to claim back tax they may have overpaid on their interest income.

Welfare Tax Credits: Short-time Working

Margaret Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that workers on short-time working are advised of their potential eligibility for tax credits.

Stephen Timms: The tax credit system is specifically designed to provide additional support when people need it most, such as when income falls because of a move to working shorter hours. In March, 355,000 households living on a lower income were receiving on average 35 per week more in tax credits.
	Take-up of tax credits is already extremely high for people with children. People already claiming tax credits can notify HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of their changed income and circumstances over the phone, and can then benefit quickly from any additional support they are eligible for. As announced in the Budget, HMRC's tax credits marketing are now focusing on reminding people to provide up-to-date information when their circumstances change.
	The Budget also announced an ambitious target to raise take-up of working tax credit (WTC) among people without children by 100,000 by April 2011. HMRC is expanding its work with employers to increase take-up, which currently reaches around 750,000 employees, and is working in partnership with trade unions to pass information about tax credits on to their members. In the coming year, HMRC will begin new research-driven marketing aimed at those people who stand to gain the most from taking up WTC, and will launch a pilot using data from pay-as-you-earn records to identify and contact potentially eligible people.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of time to decide on applications for asylum received has been since 2006.

Phil Woolas: The latest available figures show the average time to initial decisions for asylum cases decided in 2006 was eight months and in 2007 was seven months. The average length of time (in months) is calculated from the date the application is lodged to the date of initial decision, and relates to the year in which the decisions were made. The average figure for 2008 will be available at the same time as the annual publication in August 2009.
	Information on asylum is published annually and quarterly. The latest quarterly statistics were published on 24 February 2009 and are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html

Asylum

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which countries are on the Fast Track Processes Suitability List for asylum applications.

Phil Woolas: Section 94(4) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 makes provision for a list of countries from which asylum or human rights claims must be certified as clearly unfounded unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that they are not.
	The countries currently on the list are as follows: Albania, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Jamaica, Macedonia, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Peru, South Africa, Serbia and Ukraine.
	Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria and Sierra Leone are on the list in respect of applications from men only.

Asylum: Employment

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the likely effect on the number of claims for asylum of permitting asylum seekers to work whilst their cases are being determined.

Phil Woolas: It is not our policy to allow asylum seekers to work. The Government believe that managed migration is a valuable source of skills and labour to the British economy and there are recognised routes into the UK for those seeking to work. However, entering the country for economic reasons is not the same as seeking asylum and it is important to maintain the distinction between the two.
	We believe giving asylum seekers or failed asylum seekers permission to work would be likely to act as a pull factor and encourage asylum applications from those without a well founded fear of persecution, hence slowing down the processing of applications made by genuine refugees and undermining the integrity of the managed migration system.
	The only exception is asylum seekers who have been waiting 12 months for a decision where this delay cannot be attributed to them.

Borders: Personal Records

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 23 March 2009,  Official Report, column 16, on e-borders, for how long data held under each category of information on travellers and passengers collected for the purposes of the e-borders programme will be retained when the programme is fully operational.

Phil Woolas: The information will be held for 10 years in totalin the database for five years, and in our archive for a further five years.
	This allows police to investigate the travel history of terror suspects and other criminals and enables the UK Border Agency to ensure that people leave when they are supposed to.

British National Party

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to restrict members of the British National Party from undertaking roles in  (a) her Department and  (b) the UK Border Agency.

Phil Woolas: Every civil servant is expected to uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Civil Service Management Code and the Civil Service's anti-discrimination rules and a robust line will be taken with anyone who fails to do so.

British National Party

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many post holders in the UK Border Agency are known to be members of the British National Party.

Phil Woolas: Staff are not required to provide information about this and no data are available.

British National Party

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the UK Border Agency takes in circumstances when employees are found to be members of the British National Party; and what the payband is of the official responsible for dealing with this matter.

Phil Woolas: Membership of the British National Party is not banned in the UK Border Agency. Any behaviour related to the aims and values of that organisation, which contravenes either the Civil Service Management Code or Home Office policy, will be dealt with appropriately. Any manager in grades Executive Office or equivalent and above may instigate disciplinary action.

British Nationality

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many orders have been made under section 40(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 in each year since 2006.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 24 April 2009
	Two individuals have been deprived of citizenship under section 40(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 since 2006one in 2006 and one in 2007.

British Nationality

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department takes to prevent members of the British National Party (BNP) from holding posts in the UK Border Agency (UKBA); and what steps the UKBA takes in circumstances when an employee is found to be a member of the BNP.

Phil Woolas: Recruitment applicants for permanent posts in UKBA are not required to provide any information about their political allegiance. However, every civil servant is expected to uphold the standards of conduct set out in the civil service management code and the civil service's anti-discrimination rules and a robust line will be taken with anyone who fails to do so.

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in her Department were  (a) dismissed,  (b) subject to disciplinary procedures without being dismissed,  (c) moved to less sensitive duties due to shortcomings in performance and  (d) given early retirement in 2008-09.

Phil Woolas: During the 2008-09 financial year, 23 members of staff within Home Office HQ, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) were dismissed under performance management procedures. This figure excludes IPS information for March 2009 as this is not yet available.
	The UK Border Agency (UKBA) dismissed 46 members of staff under the broad category of inefficiency, which includes all dismissals made under performance management and attendance management procedures. A further breakdown of the dismissals could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
	During the same period, a total of 39 members of staff within Home Office HQ, UKBA, IPS and CRB were disciplined short of dismissal under performance management procedures. This figure excludes IPS information for March 2009 as this is not yet available.
	Information on the number of staff moved to less sensitive duties due to shortcomings in performance is not held centrally within Home Office HQ or UKBA and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. No members of IPS or CRB staff were moved to less sensitive duties due to shortcomings in performance.
	This excludes IPS information for March 2009 as this is not yet available. 177 members of staff within Home Office HQ, UKBA, IPS and CRB left on early retirement terms in 2008-09.

Departmental ICT

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the  (a) energy consumed by,  (b) energy cost of and  (c) carbon dioxide emissions from each category of IT device in each division of her Department in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Central Government Departments and their Executive Agencies are required to report performance data on their total energy consumption for their office estate annually as part of the Sustainable Development in Government (SDiG) reporting process, and to assess performance against the target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from offices by 12.5 per cent. by 2010-11.against a 1999-2000 baseline.
	Currently the Department does not collect or hold data that would allow it to estimate the  (a) energy consumed by,  (b) energy cost of and  (c) carbon dioxide emissions from each category of IT device.
	We have recently signed up to the Carbon Trust Carbon Management programme which will assist us in identifying opportunities to further improve efficiency, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and to carbon footprint the estate including our IT.

Departmental Travel

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies spent on (i) car hire and (ii) taxis in 2008-09.

Phil Woolas: The Department has so far spent 1,045,671 on taxis during 2008-09; this is made up of 961,141 incurred by the core Home Office, including UK Borders Agency, and 84,530 spent by the Identity and Passport Service.
	The cost of overseas car hire cannot be identified without incurring disproportionate cost. However, the Department has spent 917,908 on car hire in the United Kingdom; this is made up of 862,644 incurred by the core Home Office, including UK Borders Agency, and 55,264 spent by the Identity and Passport Service.
	The cost of taxis and car hire incurred by the Criminal Records Bureau could not be identified without incurring disproportionate cost.
	All figures are unaudited, and Identity and Passport Service expenditure is for the first 11 accounting periods of the year.
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management and Ministerial Codes.

Electronic Tagging

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) young offenders aged 10 to 15 years,  (b) young offenders aged 12 to 16 years,  (c) released prisoners and  (d) prisoners on bail in (i) Castle Point and (ii) Essex were electronically tagged in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table sets out the data provided by Serco Home Affairs, the company providing the electronic monitoring service for Essex for the post codes covering Castle Point, and for the geographic area of Essex from the start of the current contracts in April 2005. Caseload data is not available prior to April 2005.
	
		
			   Castle Point (SS7 and SS8 Postcode)  Essex 
			  April - December 2005   
			 10 to 15 year old 1 37 
			 12 to 16 year old 3 86 
			 Prisoner releases on licence 8 319 
			 All bail curfews 0 64 
			
			 January - December 2006   
			 10 to 15 year old 2 57 
			 12 to 16 year old 3 119 
			 Prisoner releases on licence 14 395 
			 All bail curfews 4 211 
			
			  January - December 2007   
			 10 to 15 year old 0 69 
			 12 to 16 year old 1 137 
			 Prisoner releases on licence 8 316 
			 All bail curfews 5 314 
			
			  January - December 2008   
			 10 to 15 year old 2 62 
			 12 to 16 year old 2 129 
			 Prisoner releases on licence 10 296 
			 All bail curfews 6 450 
			
			  January - 24 April 2009   
			 10 to 15 year old 0 22 
			 12 to 16 year old 0 55 
			 Prisoner releases on licence 1 91 
			 All bail curfews 5 222

Entry Clearances

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas were issued in each of the top 10 source countries in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 23 March 2009
	The number of visas issued in each of the top 10 source countries(1) in each of the last five calendar years is given in the following tables.
	(1) Top 10 countries on the basis of visa issued, not applications received.
	
		
			  2004 
			   Visas issued 
			 India 265,337 
			 China 133,458 
			 Nigeria 118,785 
			 Russia 114,968 
			 United States 106,138 
			 Pakistan 105,490 
			 UAE 56,816 
			 Saudi Arabia 47,175 
			 Turkey 44,441 
			 Kuwait 41,545 
		
	
	
		
			  2005 
			   Visas issued 
			 India 307,550 
			 Russian Federation 132,250 
			 China 124,969 
			 Nigeria 121,925 
			 Pakistan 108,426 
			 United States 99,040 
			 Turkey 59,025 
			 UAE 54,172 
			 Saudi Arabia 50,178 
			 Kuwait 47,109 
		
	
	
		
			  2006 
			   Visas issued 
			 India 363,804 
			 China 156,969 
			 Russia 148,399 
			 Pakistan 133,964 
			 Nigeria 103,503 
			 United States 97,876 
			 Turkey 67,985 
			 UAE 64,871 
			 Saudi Arabia 57,145 
			 Kuwait 46,866 
		
	
	
		
			  2007 
			   Visas issued 
			 India 353,030 
			 China 167,305 
			 Russia 151,369 
			 Pakistan 107,243 
			 Nigeria 103,731 
			 United States 88,433 
			 Turkey 71,922 
			 Saudi Arabia 60,943 
			 UAE 56,548 
			 Kuwait 42,194 
		
	
	
		
			  2008 
			   Visas issued 
			 India 349,193 
			 China 151,260 
			 Russia 132,310 
			 Nigeria 100,883 
			 United States 89,997 
			 Pakistan 82,268 
			 Turkey 78,284 
			 Saudi Arabia 76,807 
			 UAE 64,254 
			 Kuwait 46,612 
			  Source: Central Reference System

Entry Clearances

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long on average it took for a tier 5 creative and sporting visa to be processed; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 23 April 2009
	For visa applications assessed under the points-based system, including tier 5, we aim to process 90 per cent. in not more than three weeks, 98 per cent. in not more than six weeks and 100 per cent. in not more than 12 weeks. Our customer service standards and actual turnaround times in individual locations are published on our website at:
	www.ukvisas.gov.uk
	These are more helpful than average times.

House of Commons: Right of Search

William Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who authorised the covert recording of discussions between police officers and the hon. Member for Ashford at and around the time of his arrest on 27 November 2008; and what the basis in law for such authorisation was.

Vernon Coaker: Matters of this sort are operational policing issues and not for the Secretary of State.
	Where the police wish to carry out covert recording as part of an operation and the covert recording is likely to result in the obtaining of private information it would require a directed surveillance authorisation under Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
	This must be authorised by a superintendent. Where the covert recording occurs in domestic premises or a private vehicle, it is intrusive surveillance and would require an authorisation by a chief constable and prior approval by an independent Surveillance Commissioner.

Illegal Immigrants: Amnesties

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the merits of an amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Phil Woolas: The Government have ruled out an amnesty and this remains our position. An amnesty would be unfair to those who are here legally; it would act as a pull factor for even more attempts at illegal immigration; and it would counter the achievements of the UK Border Agency in toughening up our border and immigration system.

Immigration

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many orders have been made under section 2A of the Immigration Act 1971 in each year since 2006.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 24 April 2009
	One individual was deprived of their right of abode in the United Kingdom in 2006 under section 2A of the Immigration Act 1971.

Immigration Controls: Eurostar

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unaccompanied child passengers intending to travel on Eurostar services to the UK have been denied boarding at the terminals in  (a) Paris and  (b) Brussels by UK immigration officials since the introduction of juxtaposed controls.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 20 April 2009
	The number of unaccompanied child passengers who have been refused entry at the juxtaposed controls since their introduction in 2004 are as follows:
	 (a) Parisa total of 75 unaccompanied child passengers were formally refused entry.
	 (b) Brusselsa total of 29 unaccompanied child passengers were formally refused entry.
	These figures have been sourced from locally collated management information and do not represent National Statistics.

Immigration Controls: Overseas Students

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 636-7, on immigration controls: educational institutions, what criteria were applied in respect of the decision to require overseas students applying for courses to demonstrate that they have maintenance of 800 for each month of the course if studying in London, or 600 for each month of the course if studying outside London; and what assessment she has made of the appropriateness of this figure as a reflection of student spending.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 27 April 2009
	The maintenance requirement set for students studying in or outside London under Tier 4 uses the figures contained in the British Council's report Welcome to the UKStudying and Living in the United Kingdom 2007-08. These figures were based on 2004 prices, and include the cost of accommodation, heating, lighting, food, clothing, books and daily travel for one person for a nine month academic year.

Immigration: Biometrics

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding her Department has allocated in respect of the  (a) capital and  (b) running costs of the Iris Recognition Immigration System.

Phil Woolas: To date, the Department has allocated a total of  (a) 4.9 million in capital and  (b) 2.9 million in running costs in respect of the Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS).

Immigration: Manpower

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1638W, on immigration: manpower, how much her Department spent on  (a) salaries and  (b) operational costs for front-line immigration staff based in France in the latest period for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: The figures for  (a) salaries and  (b) operational costs for front-line immigration staff based in France for 2007-08 were as follows:
	
		
			million 
			  (a) Salaries 29.3 
			  (b) Operational costs 11.8 
		
	
	This is the latest period for which financial accounts are available.

Personal Records: Borders

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanism is in place to ensure that the e-Borders system recognises whether individuals who hold dual nationality have overstayed their visas in cases where only the foreign passport is stored on the e-Borders system and the holder does not travel out of the UK on that passport for more than six months.

Jacqui Smith: Travel histories stored in the system will be person-centric, rather than travel document-centric and the use of more than one passport by an individual will be identified at the primary arrivals control, and captured within the system.
	It could happen that a person has two foreign passports, with a visa on the passport with which they entered the UK. If they subsequently leave the UK on a different passport, the e-Borders system will receive the passport data from the carrier and will associate the passports as belonging to the same individual. This will ensure that the conditions of entry are closely monitored for those who are subject to immigration control.

Personal Records: Borders

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2009,  Official Report, column 305W, on police: Greater Manchester, what estimate has been made of the cost of policing the new electronic borders operations centre in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester; and whether additional resources will be made available for the policing of this facility.

Phil Woolas: The National Border Targeting Centre (NBTC) is scheduled to open in late 2009 and is a multi agency centre staffed with UK Border Agency (UKBA) and police officers. It is operated by UKBA, and managed by Trusted Borders, the service provider, who is responsible for providing 24 hour security as part of the e-Borders service contract.
	The impact upon local policing resources of the NBTC being in Manchester is considered to be negligible, and it is not expected that specific funding to the Greater Manchester Police Authority will be needed to pay for policing the new centre.

Police: Disclosure of Information

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  for what reasons the internal Merseyside Police review of the treatment of Paula Gilfoyle's death scene, compiled by Detective Superintendent Edward Humphreys was not disclosed to the defence prior to Mr. Eddie Gilfoyle's trial;
	(2)  where the  (a) report of the review,  (b) draft report and  (c) notes of interviews with police officers were between the end of Mr. Eddie Gilfoyle's trial and the time they were disclosed to the defence for Mr. Gilfoyle's appeal in 1995;
	(3)  for what reasons Detective Superintendent Gooch of Lancashire Police in his investigation of the case of Mr. Eddie Gilfoyle on behalf of the Police Complaints Commission was told that the notes of interviews with officers compiled for the Humphreys Review had been destroyed; and who had possession of those notes at the time when Detective Superintendent Gooch was told that.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not held by the Home Office. This is a matter for the chief constable of Merseyside police.

Prisoners: Foreigners

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2009,  Official Report, columns 170-1W, on detainees: offenders, how many of those held on the immigration detention estate are of each nationality.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is not centrally collated nor is it readily possible to obtain due to the rapidly changing situation as a large number of foreign criminals are removed on a daily basis as evidenced by the record 5,395 deportations and removals of foreign criminals that took place in 2008. In order to obtain this information it would be necessary to obtain a snapshot of the number of individuals who are detained at any one point then examine individual case files in order to identify their nationality, which would incur a disproportionate cost.
	The chief executive of the UK Border Agency has written to the Home Affairs Select Committee on a regular basis in order to provide all of the most robust and accurate information available on the detention and deportation of foreign national prisoners. She will continue to do so as required.

Theft: Heavy Goods Vehicles

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many heavy goods vehicles carrying  (a) gas,  (b) oil and  (c) petroleum were reported stolen in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally. These offences are recorded under the classification of 'theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle', however the recorded crime statistics are based on an aggregate count and it is therefore not possible to separately identify types of vehicle stolen or their contents.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Balance of Trade

Charles Walker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the UK trade deficit in each category, not including invisible earnings, was in each year since 1997.

Gareth Thomas: The data requested are shown in the following table
	
		
			   billion 
			   Trade in goods balance  Trade in services balance 
			 1997 -12 17 
			 1998 -22 15 
			 1999 -29 16 
			 2000 -33 15 
			 2001 -41 17 
			 2002 -48 20 
			 2003 -49 23 
			 2004 -61 28 
			 2005 -69 26 
			 2006 -76 33 
			 2007 -90 42 
			 2008 -93 49 
		
	
	More detailed figures are published by the Office for National Statistics in its Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, quarterly Balance of Payments first release and annual UK Balance of Payments Pink Book.

Business: Wales

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many health checks on businesses in Wales have been carried out under his Department's Flexible Support for Business service in each of the last six months.

Paul Murphy: I have been asked to reply.
	Responsibility for business support is devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government and is delivered through its Flexible Support for Business service, which includes regular health checks for over 1,700 clients.

Competition: Newspapers

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will use his powers under the memorandum of understanding with the Office of Fair Trading to request it to re-examine competition issues in the newspaper distribution industry.

Gareth Thomas: There have been a number of announcements recently about competition within the market for the distribution of newspapers in England and Wales after significant investigation. They include my noble Friend the Secretary of State's release of the statutory undertakings underpinning the Code of Practice given by wholesale distributors, and the Office of Fair Trading' opinion on the legality of distribution agreements between wholesalers and publishers. The Office of Fair Trading is currently consulting on its preliminary decision not to refer the market to the Competition Commission and it is expected to announce its final decision in the autumn.
	My noble Friend the Secretary of State's decision on the Code of Practice can be found at the following URL link:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/businesslaw/competition/law/news dis/index.html
	And the Office of Fair Trading's opinion on the legality of wholesaler distributors' agreements with publishers can be found at:
	http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2008/122-08

Council of Business Advisers

John Mason: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many times the Business Council for Britain has met; when it last met; who the members of the Council are; how many civil servants have attended each meeting of the Council; and how much the Council has spent on  (a) travel,  (b) hospitality and  (c) other expenses since June 2007.

Gareth Thomas: The Business Council for Britain has met formally five times, the most recent meeting being on 14 January 2009. The executive chair of the Better Regulation Executive is invited to attend Business Council meetings and the officials attending the meetings have been: the PM's Private Secretary; the Permanent Secretary, BERR; two officials from the Business Council's Secretariat and an official from the Cabinet Office. In addition, the joint head of the UK Government Economic Service also attended the meeting in January 2009.
	There are currently 16 members of the Business Council, a full list is attached as follows. The Business Council has incurred a sum of 870 for hospitality, but no other costs for travel or other expenses.
	Business Council for Britain, membership as at 3 April 2009:
	Stephen Green, Chairman, HSBC (and Chairman of the Business Council)
	Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin
	Damon Buffini, Chairman, Permira
	Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive, Anglo American
	Sir William Castell, Chairman, Wellcome Trust
	Sir Rod Eddington, Director, News Corporation
	Dr Tony Hayward, CEO, BP
	Sir Terry Leahy, CEO, Tesco
	Ian Livingston, Chief Executive, BT
	Sir John Parker, Chairman, National Grid
	Sir John Rose, CEO, Rolls-Royce
	Sir Stuart Rose Executive Chairman, Marks and Spencer
	Dame Marjorie Scardino, CEO, Pearson
	Sir Alan Sugar, Chair and CEO, Amshold
	Paul Walsh, CEO, Diageo
	Andrew Witty, CEO, GlaxoSmithKline

Departmental Assets

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when his Department last reviewed its assets and land and property holdings with a view to identifying and disposing of surpluses.

Patrick McFadden: This Department's published Asset Management Strategy can be found on the BERR website at the following address:
	www.berr.gov.uk
	The Department does not own any material or significant non-property related assets.
	The Department does not own any land.
	The Department owns the freehold to only one building, the Core Store, situated in Edinburgh, which is currently fully occupied and let to the British Geological Survey. All other buildings are leased.
	Since 2003-04, the Department's estate has undergone substantial rationalisation and BERR staff now occupy only 1.5 buildings in central London. Where buildings have been vacated, they have either been let to other Government Departments or the leases have expired.

Departmental Training

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much has been spent on media training for each Minister in his Department in each of the last three years; how many sessions have been provided; and which organisations provided such training.

Patrick McFadden: Training is provided to Ministers as necessary in order to carry out their duties effectively under the Ministerial Code.

Evening Standard

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what communications  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials in his Department received from (i) Finsbury and (ii) Roland Rudd in connection with the sale of the London Evening Standard to Alexander Lebedev before the decision was taken on whether to issue an intervention notice under the Enterprise Act 2002.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 20 April 2009
	No communications were received by Ministers or officials in connection with the sale of the Evening Standard from either Roland Rudd or Finsbury.

Free Trade: Burma

John Battle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what progress has been made in securing an EU-ASEAN free-trade agreement; and whether Burma will be party to this agreement.

Gareth Thomas: EU-ASEAN free trade agreement negotiations were launched in May 2007 in Brunei. ASEAN, due to its competitiveness, is a very important market with which to further deepen trade relations. However, since 2007 progress on starting substantive negotiations has been very slow. This has been a result of ASEAN finding it difficult to agree a common negotiating position.
	The UK position is that Burma should not benefit from a future EU-ASEAN FTA. This is an issue to which the UK attaches great importance.

Insolvency

Mark Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many corporate insolvencies there were in each  (a) local authority area,  (b) region and  (c) parliamentary constituency in each quarter of each of the last 12 years; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: Statistics covering corporate insolvencies are not currently available at sub-national level within England and Wales.

Overseas Trade: Israel

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assistance his Department provides to Israeli businesses wishing to  (a) invest in the UK and  (b) take part in joint ventures with UK companies; how much was made available for these purposes in each of the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) provides a range of information and business services to Israeli companies wishing to invest in the UK, through its teams based in both the UK and the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.
	As part of UKTI's role to facilitate investment in the UK, the Global Partnerships programme offers a research service to foreign companies interested in joint ventures and long term collaborations.
	It is not possible to quantify accurately the costs available for these purposes solely in Israel.

Overseas Trade: Israel

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when  (a) he,  (b) Ministers in his Department and  (c) his officials last met the Chairman of the Israel Britain Chamber of Commerce to discuss trade between the UK and Israel; on what dates the next such meetings are planned; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: I have not yet had the opportunity to meet Len Judes, Chairman of the Israel-British Chamber of Commerce.
	Contacts in Tel Aviv are regular and ongoing. UKTI officials based in London who are responsible for business with Israel meet representatives of the Israel-Britain Chamber of Commerce when they travel to Israel. UKTI officials met Mr Judes on one of his recent visits to the UK.
	My noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Investment will be visiting Israel in a private capacity later in the year, although he will spend some time on official business. He hopes there will be an opportunity to meet Mr Judes during that visit.

Overseas Trade: Israel

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what support  (a) his Department and  (b) UK Trade and Investment are providing (i) to support UK business activities in Israel and (ii) support the attendance of UK businesses at business fairs and conferences in that country.

Gareth Thomas: On behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and HM Government more widely, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) provides a range of support services to British companies wishing to trade with or invest in Israel, principally through its commercial team based in the British embassy in Tel Aviv.
	UKTI support focuses, in particular, on business opportunities in high technology sectors, including Biotechnology, Healthcare, Aerospace, Information and Communication Technology, the Environmental Industries and Financial and Legal Services. Information on commercial events in Israel is posted on the UKTI website
	www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
	along with details of specific business opportunities in the market.
	UKTI offers a full range of support services to British companies attending trade fairs and exhibitions in Israel. These include pre-travel market research and in-country assistance with programme arranging and logistics.

Minimum Wage

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of workers receiving a wage below the national minimum wage.

Patrick McFadden: The Government are committed to simple, effective enforcement of the national minimum wage (NMW) which deters non-compliant employers from underpaying their workers and removes the unfair competitive advantage that underpayment can bring. New measures brought in under the Employment Act 2008, which took effect from 6 April this year, include automatic penalties of up to 5,000 for employers found not to be complying with the NMW, a new system for calculating repayment of arrears of NMW to a worker which takes account of the length of time the arrears have been outstanding and greater powers for officers enforcing the NMW in obtaining records. In 2006 the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, announced an increase of 2.9 million per year for enforcement of the national minimum wage, each year for four years.
	The Government also run an extensive publicity campaign aimed at informing workers and businesses about the national minimum wage. In 2007-08 the Government helped to restore 3.9 million in arrears to over 19,000 workers.

Trade Promotion: Expenditure

Greg Hands: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost to his Department was of the UK Trade and Investment Take it to the World programme on the latest date for which figures are available.

Gareth Thomas: UK Trade and Investment's Take it to the World programme, has the objective to raise awareness amongst businesses of its role and the benefits of exporting, in line with the recommendation in the National Audit Offices recent value-for-money report.
	The programme has cost 780,982 (0.25 per cent. of total budget).
	This has helped achieve an additional 46,000 visitors to UKTI's website when comparing March to the previous month.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Community Development

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the final data are for the educational Key Stage 3 target for the performance of schools in Neighbourhood Renewal Fund areas, as referred to on page 44 of her Department's 2008 Annual Report.

Sadiq Khan: There are no plans to release 2008 Key Stage 3 final data for Neighbourhood Renewal Fund areas.
	On 16 October 2008, the Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families announced to the House significant changes to the school assessment and accountability system, including the end of compulsory Key Stage 3 tests. Following this widely welcomed announcement it was subsequently decided and announced to the House on 16 December 2008, not to proceed with collating and publishing Key Stage 3 performance tables at the school-level for 2008, as to do so would place a disproportionate burden on secondary schools.

Community Relations

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Community Leadership Fund in contributing to the development of capacity among faith and civic leaders to confront extremism.

Sadiq Khan: Each piece of work funded by the Community Leadership Fund is assessed individually according to the proposed measures for effectiveness of the specific activities and objectives of each project.
	All projects funded through the Community Leadership Fund are monitored with interim and annual evaluation reports.
	The 24 projects funded in 2007-08 directly engaged over 2,000 Muslim young people, women and faith leaders to support them to tackle violent extremism using a range of methods, including leadership training, dialogue and debate, drama and arts projects.
	The end of year evaluation reports for projects funded in 2008-09 are due at the end of June 2009.

Community Relations

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the work of citizens' juries in determining how targeted provision of teaching English for speakers of other languages can build community cohesion.

Sadiq Khan: The Department for Communities and Local Government co-hosted two citizens' juries with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills as part of DIUS' 2008 consultation on re-focusing English for Speakers of Other Languages. The Government's aim in re-focusing ESOL is to ensure the most socially excluded are not overlooked by existing ESOL provision. The Government believe that the new approachon which an announcement will be made shortlywill make a major contribution to strengthened community cohesion
	No separate evaluation was made of the contribution the citizen jury element made to the wider consultation. But the Government believe Citizens' Juries continue to have a useful role to play as one of a range of consultation tools available to local and national policy makers.

Community Relations: Finance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding her Department provided to Connecting Communities Plus in 2008-09; and what allocation has been made to Connecting Communities Plus for 2009-10.

Sadiq Khan: The Department provided funding under the Connecting Communities Plus Programme of 5,757,119 to organisations working to promote race equality and community cohesion during 2008-09.
	Connecting Communities Plus funded national level strategic partners and local level projects for a three-year period from 2006-09. It also funded over 300 small community organisations with one-off grants of up to 12,000.
	The Connecting Communities Plus fund ended on 31 March, however in April 2009, we invited bids for the Tackling Race Inequalities Fund, which will provide funding for Third Sector organisations whose works helps to address race inequalities. The fund will provide 3 million in 2009-10.

Departmental ICT

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department has taken to address the effect on levels of carbon dioxide emissions from her Department of its ICT purchases since the publication of the Greening Government ICT Strategy; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: The Department for Communities and Local Government has taken the following steps to address the effect of carbon dioxide emissions of ICT purchases since the publication of the Greening Government ICT strategy:
	Prepared a Sustainable Procurement Strategy which will address achieving 100 per cent. compliance with the Buy Sustainable Quick Wins Minimum Procurement Specifications list for new procurements.
	Produced a Greening Government CIO Green ICT Roadmap to report compliance with operational and strategic Green ICT targets. This includes more re-use of existing equipment, using devices for longer before replacement and reducing the number of devices used by each individual.
	CLG will be implementing a Corporate Printer Strategy to reduce the overall number of printers used by the organisation, control their usage to reduce the amount of paper used, and replace individual printers with multi-functional devices with green printing defaults where possible (for example duplex printing).

Eco-Towns

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent representations she has received on the implementation of soil sealing strategies for eco-town developments; and what research her Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on soil sealing.

Margaret Beckett: As part of the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment of the draft Planning Policy Statement and Eco-towns Programme, consideration at a strategic level has been undertaken of any significant effects on the environment, including soil. This document is available on my Department's website and forms part of the current eco-towns consultation.
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planning/planningpolicyguidance/planningpolicystatements/planningpolicystatements/ppsecotowns/ppssustainabilityappraisal/
	Issues relating to soil sealing may well be raised as part of the eco-towns consultation, which runs until 30 April. Following our review of the consultation responses we will publish a Government response together with consultation summary report of responses received.
	The issue of soil sealing is also addressed in a project jointly funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the British National Space Centre to develop a methodology for using Earth Observation to identify and monitor changes in soil sealing, and assess methodologies for determining the effect of soil sealing on urban drainage and aesthetic value. The report is available on the DEFRA website.
	http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=SP0541_5218_FRP.pdf

Empty Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 472-3W, on empty property, when the seminar to address local authorities took place; and how many local authorities were represented at the meeting.

Iain Wright: The Empty Homes seminar took place at Admiralty House on 23 April and 12 individual local authorities were represented at the meeting, as well as the West London Housing Partnership, representing seven London boroughs, and the Herts, Beds, Bucks Empty Homes Forum, representing 24 local authorities. A further eight local authorities were invited but were unable to attend. The Homes and Communities Agency, LACORS and the Empty Homes Agency were also represented at the seminar, along with officials from my Department and the Government offices for the regions. I also attended.

Energy Performance Certificates

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on how many occasions energy performance certificates have been issued more than five days after the completion of the  (a) construction and  (b) modification of a building; and what penalties can be imposed in such circumstances.

Iain Wright: No information is collected centrally about the date on which either construction or modification of buildings is completed. However, a building control officer must have evidence that an energy performance certificate is available before they can certify that the construction of a building has been completed. This same requirement only applies to the modification of buildings where this leads to the creation of a separate dwelling or non-domestic unit that has heating, hot water or air conditioning. Enforcement of this requirement is a matter for local authority building control.

Equal Opportunities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to promote race equality and community cohesion in response to the slippage against her Department's target indicator on discrimination in the labour market, as referred to on page 122 of her Department's Annual Report 2008.

Sadiq Khan: The Department works with central Government Departments and other stakeholders to mainstream race equality into public policy and delivery and to focus policies on the most significant inequalities, for instance employment and the Criminal Justice System. It was disappointing that the target on perceived discrimination by employers was not met, although in the same public service agreement period, the Government's target on minority ethnic employment rates was met comfortably.
	We have also worked closely with the Department for Work and Pensions through the Ethnic Minority Employment Task Force to address these issues and will work with the Task Force to implement the findings of the National Employment Panel's Business Commission Report, which made a number of recommendations for Government to increase the levels of employment and progression of minority ethnic people in the private sector.
	The Government's overall approach to race equality over the last few years was set out in our race equality and community cohesion strategyImproving Opportunity, Strengthening Society.
	On 24 February 2009 the Department for Communities and Local Government launched Tackling Race Inequalities: A discussion document which is seeking views from the public, private and third sectors, and the public, on the next steps the Government should take on tackling inequalities faced by many people from minority ethnic groups.

Equity

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many equity loan completions there were in each region in March 2009.

Iain Wright: There were 804 equity loan completions in March 2009. This is significantly higher than the average monthly equity loan completion rate of 579.
	
		
			  Sponsor LA region name  Total 
			 East Midlands 32 
			 Eastern 144 
			 London 207 
			 North East 5 
			 North West 43 
			 South East 218 
			 South West 71 
			 West Midlands 54 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 29 
			 Grand total 804

Fire Services

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has for a Centre of Excellence for the Fire and Rescue Service.

Sadiq Khan: The Department issued a consultation on proposals for a Centre of Excellence for the fire and rescue service in November 2007. While the majority of respondents supported, in principle, the establishment of a Centre of Excellence, there was a lack of consensus on some important issues, not least funding, and therefore it was decided not to proceed with the proposal for the time being. Therefore while we have no immediate plans to establish a Centre of Excellence, we have continued to explore with key stakeholders how the concepts might best be taken forward.

Fire Services

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent progress her Department has made towards the objective of installing Firelink radios in all fire appliances.

Sadiq Khan: The installation of Firelink radio equipment into fire and rescue service vehicles is progressing well. To date, radios have been installed in 3,000 fire vehicles, which represents approximately one third of the fire and rescue service fleet.

Fire Services: Finance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding her Department allocated to the Fire and Resilience programme for  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10.

Sadiq Khan: The Department's provisional outturn figure for expenditure on the Fire and Resilience Programme in 2008-09 is 196 million. The latest forecast for expenditure in 2009-10 is 199 million.

Fires: Death

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which fire and rescue authorities had a fatality rate from accidental fires in the home of more than 1.25 times the national average in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Sadiq Khan: Because of inherent fluctuations in the number of fatalities in individual fire and rescue authority (FRA) areas from year to year, the public service agreement target on this measure is based on five-year averages.
	Only finalised data is suitable for analysis of number of deaths in individual fire authorities. Finalised fire incident data for 2007-08 that takes account of cross checking against records from the General Register's Office will not be available until August. Thus the latest five years of suitable data is for 2002-03 to 2006-07, and these are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Fire authorities exceeding 1.25 times the national average rate of accidental dwelling fires, 2002-03 to 2006-07 
			  Area  Average fatality rate (per 100,000 population) based on 2002-03 to 2006-07 data 
			 England average 0.49 
			 Rate 1.25* the National Average 0.61 
			   
			 Lancashire 0.87 
			 Greater Manchester 0.74 
			 West Yorkshire 0.66 
			 Durham 0.64 
			 South Yorkshire(1) 0.61 
			 (1) The figure for South Yorkshire is higher than 1.25* the national average when taken to 3 decimal places.

Housing

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what level of housing delivery was achieved in the area to which RPG9 relates in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09;
	(2)  what projection she has made of the level of housing delivery in the area to which RPG9 relates in 2009-10.

Iain Wright: The net increase in the numbers of dwellings in the South East region in 2007-08 was 35,407, 33,398 of which were newly built homes. A figure for 2008-09 is not yet available, although latest figures show 21,600 new homes were completed in the first nine months of 2008-09. The Government do not make projections of future housing delivery. The housing provision for the South East in RPG is 28,050 dwellings per annum, with an additional 1,500 from partial reviews of the Growth Areas of Milton Keynes and Aylesbury Vale and Ashford.

Housing Revenue Accounts

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 6 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 71-2WS, on local authority rents, what estimate she has made of the likely change to the Housing Revenue Account of local authorities which bid for additional subsidy.

Iain Wright: The change in subsidy will depend on how many local authorities have accepted the offer set out in the written ministerial statement of 6 March. This is currently being reviewed in the light of local authorities' responses to the consultation on a draft amending subsidy determination, which ended on 24 April.
	Local authorities' actual subsidy entitlements for 2009-10 will not be known until their first subsidy claim forms are received later in the year.

Housing: Construction

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what public funding has been provided for the construction of housing in the last 12 months.

Iain Wright: Figures for public expenditure on housing and community amenities, including on housing development, are published annually in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses available on the Treasury website at:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pespub_pesa08.htm
	The disaggregation of the element to support the construction of new homes could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the Communities and Local Government programme which primarily funds the construction of housing in England is the Affordable Housing programme, now delivered by the Homes and Communities Agency. The latest spend position, that for 2008-09, indicates that around 2 billion of the Affordable Housing programme supported the construction of housing.

Housing: Low Incomes

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans her Department has for the  (a) provision and  (b) development of affordable housing in Eastbourne constituency.

Iain Wright: The Homes and Communities Agency allocated funding of 2.6 million to Eastbourne to enable delivery of 97 affordable housing units due to be completed in 2009-10. This is in addition to Housing Corporation funding of 1 million for 2007-08 and 3 million for 2006-07 for the delivery of affordable housing in Eastbourne.
	While the Government set the national policy for the delivery of affordable housing it is for local authorities to determine the development plan for their own area by taking into account local needs identified through robust evidence. The housing allocation for Eastbourne set out in the Structure Plan, is for the provision of 360 units per annum. Eastbourne's Borough Plan 2001-11 sets a target for the provision of 75 affordable housing units per annum representing just over 20 per cent. of the total allocation. This rises to 30 per cent. in the proposed changes to the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East where Eastbourne's housing allocation is set at 240 units per annum.
	The new Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) was launched in December last year, replacing the Housing Corporation, and is the single national housing and regeneration agency for England with a budget of over 5 billion per year. Investment Managers from HCA are engaging with local authorities to look at how best to deliver local affordable housing ambitions in line with local plans.

Housing: Low Incomes

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which housing associations have signed up to participate in the mortgage rescue scheme's  (a) shared equity programme and  (b) Government mortgage to rent programme; and what (i) incentives and (ii) requirements there are for housing associations to participate.

Margaret Beckett: 24 registered social landlord (RSL) providersshown in the following listare currently committed to delivering the Government's Mortgage Rescue Scheme. As such, they all offer both elements of the schemeshared equity and Government Mortgage to Rent.
	The RSL provider network covers the whole of England, with each local authority working with one RSL provider in their region.
	The Mortgage Rescue Scheme complements the aims and objectives of housing associations, which are independent, not-for-profit social businesses set up to provide affordable homes for people in housing need. Therefore, no specific incentives have been used to attract Mortgage Rescue Scheme providers. An agreed framework provides funding for rescues completed under the scheme.
	Housing associations are independent organisations and no general obligation to deliver the Mortgage Rescue Scheme has been placed upon them. The providers we have in place have signed up willingly and are committed to preventing repossessions among vulnerable households.
	 RSL providers
	Isos Housing Ltd.
	Carlisle HA
	Plum Life
	CDS Housing
	Riverside Home Ownership
	Broadacres Housing
	Chevin HA
	Space Property
	Orbit Housing
	West Mercia Housing Group
	Elgar Housing Association
	East Midlands Housing Association
	Waterloo Housing Association
	Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association
	Aldwyck Housing Association
	Orbit First Step
	Moat Housing Association
	Catalyst
	Swaythling Housing Society
	Thames Valley Housing Association
	Gloucester Housing Association
	Home2Own
	Metropolitan Home Ownership
	Tower Homes

Housing: Low Incomes

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many new affordable homes have been built in  (a) Tamworth constituency and  (b) Staffordshire in each year since 1997.

Iain Wright: The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) data for provision of new affordable housing is based on local authority boundaries rather than constituency boundaries.
	The number of affordable homes built within Tamworth borough council and Staffordshire are as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			   Tamworth borough council  Staffordshire county council (including Tamworth) 
			 1996-97 30 600 
			 1997-98 20 450 
			 1998-99 80 500 
			 1999-2000 40 450 
			 2000-01 120 580 
			 2001-02 40 380 
			 2002-03 40 340 
			 2003-04 10 440 
			 2004-05 90 750 
			 2005-06 10 460 
			 2006-07 10 310 
			 2007-08 20 420 
			 Total 510 5,680 
			  Source:  CLG

Housing: Low Incomes

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people were newly housed in affordable homes in  (a) 2004,  (b) 2005,  (c) 2006,  (d) 2007 and  (e) 2008.

Iain Wright: Information on the number of people in affordable housing is not available. The following table shows the number of new affordable homes provided in England from 2004-05 to 2007-08.
	
		
			   Number of affordable homes provided 
			 2004-05 37,470 
			 2005-06 45,980 
			 2006-07 44,570 
			 2007-08 53,730 
		
	
	Affordable housing figures are collated from the Homes and Communities Agency Investment Management System (IMS); and Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) returns and P2 house building returns submitted to CLG by local authorities and the National House-Building Council (NHBC).

Housing: Low Incomes

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent progress has been made towards the target of making all social housing decent; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: Information provided by social landlords shows the number of non-decent social sector homes has reduced from 1,231,000 in 2005 to 714,000 in 2008a reduction of 42 per cent. Over the same period the proportion of non-decent social sector homes has reduced from 31 per cent. to 18 per cent.
	The Homes and Communities Agency has taken on management of the Decent Homes programme and is actively working with all landlords, as part of a single conversation, to ensure all social housing is made decent.

Housing: Sustainable Development

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate her Department has made of the cost to developers of achieving code levels  (a) 4,  (b) 5 and  (c) 6 in the Code for Sustainable Homes; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: The costs associated of achieving the Code for Sustainable Homes, especially at higher levels is very site dependent. The range of costs needs to be put into context of the site, the type of home that is being built, the solutions and technology that are being used and the knowledge of the developer.
	We released cost information on building to all levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes in the document Cost Analysis of the Code for Sustainable Homes which was published in July 2008, written by Cyrill Sweett. The report is available to download at:
	www.communities.gov.uk/thecode
	and there is a copy in the House Library.
	We are currently in the process of updating our cost analysis for the up and coming consultation on the Code, in light of changes in Building Regulations.

Local Government Finance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 976-7W, on local government finance, how many local authorities have submitted bids to the Homes and Communities Agency for a social housing grant.

Iain Wright: None. The Homes and Communities Agency will shortly be inviting local authorities to bid for a share of the 100 million of new funding we have just announced in the Budget for local authorities to deliver social housing.
	As my previous answer stated, in January 2009 we consulted on changes to the revenue and capital financing rules that would enable local authorities to apply for new specified properties to be excluded from the Housing Revenue Account subsidy system and thereby keep the full rental income from such properties and the full capital receipt should the property be in future sold (especially under the Right to Buy over which the local authority would have no control). This would provide greater freedom and flexibility for local authorities to build new properties using their own resources. Consultation closed on 17 April.

Mortgages

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the average rate of mortgage interest on domestic properties charged by lenders in each of the last three years.

Iain Wright: Data on average mortgage rates for mortgages issued by banks and building societies are available from the Bank of England. Data as at 31 December for the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			   Average fixed mortgage interest rate (percentage)( 1)  Average tracker mortgage interest rate (percentage)( 2) 
			 2006 5.15 5.63 
			 2007 6.06 6.20 
			 2008 4.77 4.92 
			 (1) Average interest rate of UK resident banks (excl. Central Bank) and building societies' sterling two year (75 per cent. LTV) fixed rate mortgage to households (in percentage). (2) Average interest rate of UK resident banks (excl. Central Bank) and building societies' sterling base rate tracker mortgage to households (in percentage).  Source: Bank of England

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many repossessions have been prevented as a result of assistance provided by the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme.

Margaret Beckett: Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) is a new scheme, available from 21 April 2009, which will enable eligible borrowers to reduce their monthly mortgage interest payments to affordable levels for up to two years to help them get back on track with their finances if they suffer a temporary loss of income. HMS offers significantly extended forbearance compared with normal lender arrangements by assisting more households who may have otherwise faced repossession proceedings immediately, and providing greater certainty and protection for a period up to two years. We estimate that up to 85,000 households could be helped by HMS, many of whom will be able to remain in their homes on a permanent basis.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether a mechanism exists for assessing whether a homeowner applying for assistance under the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme is instead eligible for assistance under the Support for Mortgage Interest Scheme.

Margaret Beckett: Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) is a new scheme which will enable eligible borrowers to reduce their monthly mortgage interest payments to affordable levels for up to two years to help them get back on track with their finances if they suffer a temporary loss of income.
	Households applying for the scheme will need to seek independent money advice before signing up, to ensure they are not eligible for other forms of support more appropriate for their circumstances, such as Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what assumed average outstanding mortgage value was used to calculate her Department's impact assessment in respect of the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme;
	(2)  what assumed average mortgage rate was used to calculate her Department's impact assessment in respect of the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme for each year to 2016-17.

Margaret Beckett: The Impact Assessment for Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) was published on 21 April and is available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/mortgagesupportimpactassessment
	The Impact Assessment sets out the estimated costs and benefits of HMS, and the assumptions used to generate these estimates. An average mortgage rate of just over 5 per cent. is assumed over the four years that borrowers are entered onto HMS.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the latest date is by which a homeowner seeking support under the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme must have  (a) taken out a mortgage and  (b) remortgaged to be eligible for assistance under the scheme.

Margaret Beckett: Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) is a new scheme which will enable eligible borrowers to reduce their monthly mortgage interest payments to affordable levels for up to two years to help them get back on track with their finances if they suffer a temporary loss of income. To be eligible, homeowners must have purchased their property with a mortgage before 1 December 2008. Homeowners who re-mortgaged after that date without increasing their debt are also eligible.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the maximum monetary value of  (a) mortgages and  (b) loans secured against mortgages is for a homeowner to be eligible for assistance under the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme in the case of each participating lender.

Margaret Beckett: Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) is a new scheme which will enable eligible borrowers to reduce their monthly mortgage interest payments to affordable levels for up to two years to help them get back on track with their finances if they suffer a temporary loss of income. To meet the eligibility criteria, households must have total outstanding charges against their home no greater than 400,000 (excluding charging orders as they are ineligible for guarantee under the scheme).

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the maximum level of savings a homeowner may hold to be eligible for assistance under the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme in the case of each participating lender.

Margaret Beckett: Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) is a new scheme which will enable eligible borrowers to reduce their monthly mortgage interest payments to affordable levels for up to two years to help them get back on track with their finances if they suffer a temporary loss of income. To meet the eligibility criteria, households must have savings of less than 16,000.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the maximum time period is for which a homeowner may receive assistance under the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme.

Margaret Beckett: Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) is a new scheme which will enable eligible borrowers to reduce their monthly mortgage interest payments to affordable levels to help them get back on track with their finances if they suffer a temporary loss of income. Households can benefit from support through the scheme for up to two years.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what mechanism is in place to ensure that lenders participating in the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme will apply the terms of the scheme in accordance with her Department's policy; and what redress is available to homeowners with grievances to this effect regarding the application of such terms.

Margaret Beckett: Robust monitoring and audit arrangements are in place for the delivery of the Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme.
	Borrowers who experience problems should in the first instance make a formal complaint to their lender. Should they feel that their complaint is not satisfactorily dealt with they will be able to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)an independent body set up to provide arbitration in such cases.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  from what budgetary source the 20 million fund to enable local authorities to extend small loans to families at risk of homelessness through repossession or eviction as referred to on page 104 of the Budget 2009 Red Book will be provided;
	(2)  how the proposed 20 million fund for local authorities to extend small loans to households at risk of homelessness through repossession will be administered; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: HM Treasury will make available to CLG an additional 20 million resource in 2009-10 from CLG's cumulated End Year Flexibility entitlement to enable local authorities to extend small loans to families at risk of homelessness through repossession or eviction.
	It will be administered through the Homelessness Revenue Grant Programme which falls under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003.
	CLG have already allocated over 150 million over three years (2008-11) of Homelessness Grant to all local authorities to support their homelessness strategies to tackle and prevent homelessness effectively. This is the biggest ever cash injection provided for homelessness services.

National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  which local authorities have established a policy of not awarding contracts for local authority electrical installation work to members of the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment the Government have made of the merits of including the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers on lists of contractors authorised to carry out electrical installation work for local authorities.

Iain Wright: The Government do not hold detailed information on local authorities' policies on the award of contracts for electrical installation work as they might affect members of the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers. The Government do not maintain lists of contractors authorised to carry out electrical installation work for local authorities; it is a matter for each local authority to decide with whom it wishes to contract for such work.

National Tenant Voice

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the work of National Tenant Voice; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: The National Tenant Voice has not yet been established. In December 2008 I accepted the recommendations of a project group set up to provide advice on the National Tenant Voice, and we are seeking powers to fund such an organisation in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill. In the meantime, the project group is continuing its work advising us, and is establishing a National Tenant Council to act as a policy forum and sounding board on issues affecting social housing tenants.
	Subject to the approval of Parliament, I would expect the National Tenant Voice to be established within about nine months of Royal Assent of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill. Once established, it will sit alongside the Tenant Services Authority and will ensure that the experience of tenants is central both to regulation and to the future development of policy.

Planning Permission

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will introduce regulations to require local authority planning committees to have regard to World Heritage Sites when making decisions on planning applications.

Iain Wright: Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 15 (Planning and the Historic Environment) already advises that the outstanding international importance of a World Heritage Site is a key material consideration to be taken into account by planning authorities in determining planning applications.
	An amendment to the General Permitted Development Order in October 2008 conferred special protection on World Heritage Sites by removing permitted development rights for certain types of minor development which could, on a cumulative basis, have an adverse effect on the outstanding universal value of a World Heritage Site.
	Under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009, planning authorities are required to consult the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government before approving any planning application made on or after 20 April 2009 to which English Heritage maintains an objection and which would have an adverse impact on the outstanding universal value, integrity, authenticity and significance of a World Heritage Site or its setting. The Secretary of State then has the discretion to call in the application for her own determination if she considers it appropriate to do so.
	World Heritage Sites are 'sensitive areas' for the purposes of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations. Local planning authorities must therefore require EIA to be carried out for any development proposal in or partly in a World Heritage Site if they think it is likely to have significant environmental effects.
	The Government consulted last year on a draft planning circular, and accompanying guidance prepared by English Heritage, which will further recognise in national policy the need to protect World Heritage Sites as sites of Outstanding Universal Value. These are being revised in the light of consultation responses and final versions should be published by the summer.
	In addition, the Government have announced their intention to consult on a revision to planning policy on heritage protection (PPGs 15 and 16) soon. This will provide a further opportunity to comment on this issue.

Planning Permission: South East

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local planning authorities in the South East of England achieved their best value targets for handling planning applications in 2007-08.

Iain Wright: The best value targets for local planning authority decisions are different for major, minor and other planning applications. Local planning authority performance is available from the following source:
	www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/performancechecklistmarch2008
	A South East specific list in respect of BV109 is as follows.
	 All authorities within the SE region which met the Government targets for BV109 during 2007-08
	 Majors: (60 per cent. of applications within eight weeks)
	South Bucks
	Fareham
	Cherwell
	Eastbourne
	Rushmoor
	Tunbridge Wells
	Adur
	Tandridge
	Mole Valley
	Runnymede
	Basingstoke and Deane
	Epsom and Ewell
	Guildford
	East Hampshire
	Wealdon
	Bracknell Forest
	Mid Sussex
	Lewes
	Maidstone
	Thanet
	Elmbridge
	Windsor and Maidenhead
	Test Valley
	Chichester
	West Berkshire
	Slough
	Hastings
	New Forest
	Vale of the White Horse
	South Oxfordshire
	Reading
	Canterbury
	Dartford
	Ashford
	Wokingham
	Havant
	Hart
	Chiltern
	Wycombe
	Gravesham
	Woking
	Crawley
	Horsham
	Southampton
	Tonbridge and Malling
	Winchester
	Eastleigh
	West Oxfordshire
	Reigate and Banstead
	Sevenoaks
	Rother
	Brighton and Hove
	Isle of Wight
	Surrey Heath
	Worthing
	Shepway
	Medway
	Swale
	Dover
	Portsmouth
	Aylesbury
	 Minors: (65 per cent. of applications within 13 weeks)
	South Bucks
	Fareham
	Cherwell
	Eastbourne
	Rushmoor
	Tunbridge Wells
	Adur
	Tandridge
	Mole Valley
	Runnymede
	Basingstoke and Deane
	Epsom and Ewell
	Guildford
	East Hampshire
	Wealdon
	Bracknell Forest
	Mid Sussex
	Lewes
	Maidstone
	Thanet
	Elmbridge
	Windsor and Maidenhead
	Test Valley
	Chichester
	West Berkshire
	Slough
	Hastings
	New Forest
	Vale of the White Horse
	South Oxfordshire
	Reading
	Canterbury
	Dartford
	Ashford
	Wokingham
	Havant
	Hart
	Chiltern
	Wycombe
	Gravesham
	Woking
	Crawley
	Horsham
	Southampton
	Tonbridge and Malling
	Winchester
	Eastleigh
	West Oxfordshire
	Reigate and Banstead
	Sevenoaks
	Rother
	Brighton and Hove
	Isle of Wight
	Surrey Heath
	Worthing
	Shepway
	Medway
	Swale
	Dover
	Portsmouth
	Aylesbury
	Milton Keynes
	New Forest National Park
	Oxford
	 Others: (80 per cent. of applications within 13 weeks)
	South Bucks
	Fareham
	Cherwell
	Eastbourne
	Rushmoor
	Tunbridge Wells
	Adur
	Tandridge
	Mole Valley
	Runnymede
	Basingstoke and Deane
	Epsom and Ewell
	Guildford
	East Hampshire
	Wealdon
	Bracknell Forest
	Mid Sussex
	Lewes
	Maidstone
	Thanet
	Elmbridge
	Windsor and Maidenhead
	Test Valley
	Chichester
	West Berkshire
	Slough
	Hastings
	New Forest
	Vale of the White Horse
	South Oxfordshire
	Canterbury
	Dartford
	Ashford
	Wokingham
	Havant
	Hart
	Chiltern
	Wycombe
	Gravesham
	Woking
	Crawley
	Horsham
	Southampton
	Tonbridge and Malling
	Winchester
	Eastleigh
	West Oxfordshire
	Reigate and Banstead
	Sevenoaks
	Rother
	Isle of Wight
	Surrey Heath
	Worthing
	Shepway
	Medway
	Swale
	Dover
	Portsmouth
	Aylesbury
	Milton Keynes
	New Forest National Park
	Oxford
	Arun
	Gosport

Planning: Horticulture

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consideration she has given to strengthening the role of horticulture in  (a) local development frameworks and  (b) regional spatial strategies; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: We have no plans to strengthen the inclusion of horticulture in local development frameworks and regional spatial strategies. 'Planning Policy Guidance note 17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, 2002' (PPG17) already states that local planning authorities should make robust assessments of the needs of their communities for all open spaces of public value, which, by definition, includes parks and gardens, allotments, and city (urban) farms.
	Local authorities should use the information gained from their assessments of needs and opportunities to set locally derived standards for the provision of open space. These should form the basis for addressing the amount and quality of open space through the planning process. PPG17 also states that standards should be included in development plans, i.e. local development frameworks and regional spatial strategies.
	In March this year, CLG contributed 1 million to the cost of training and employment for the first year of 60 additional horticultural apprenticeship places in some of the most deprived urban local authorities. This action complements CABE Space's work to raise skills across the green space sector.

Property Development

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many historic battlefield sites have been wholly or partly built upon since 1990; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: In 1995 English Heritage established a Register of Historic Battlefields, which contains 43 important sites. Of these, eight were identified as being at high risk in the 2008 Heritage at Risk Register, with pressure from development being the most common risk. The Government do not maintain detailed information about developments on individual battlefields, though we are aware that certain sites (such as Worcester and Stamford Bridge) have had substantial development. The effect of proposed development on a registered site is a material consideration to be taken into account in determining planning applications. It is also open to local planning authorities to designate as a conservation area any part of their area which has special historic interest and whose character or appearance it is desirable to preserve or enhance.

Repossession Orders

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her most recent estimate is of the number of households which entered the social housing sector as a result of repossessions in each of the last three years.

Iain Wright: Full information as requested is not available. The Continuous Recordings of Lettings (CORE) gives numbers of new social tenants who reported eviction or repossession as the main reason for leaving their last settled home. This does not identify repossessions separately, and also will not include households who have lived in other settled accommodation (for instance in the private rented sector) since having their home repossessed.
	The following table gives the number of lettings to registered social landlord (RSL) tenants in the last three years, where they have reported eviction or repossession as the main reason for leaving their last settled home. Figures for local authority lets are not yet available due to gaps in the local authority data.
	
		
			  RSL lettings( 1)  to tenants reporting repossessions and evictions as their main reason for leaving last settled home, England 
			   Count  Percentage of total RSL lettings( 2) 
			 2005-06 5,300 2.5 
			 2006-07 5,680 2.6 
			 2007-08 5,970 2.8 
			 (1) All new and housing and existing lettings are covered, including general needs and supported housing. (2) The percentage excludes cases where no reason was given.

Shelter: Eco-Towns

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what financial assistance the Government has given Shelter to promote its eco-town proposal guides through online advertising on search engines.

Iain Wright: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1284W. This sets out the funding that my Department has provided to Shelter to support the production and dissemination of these publications, which provide information about the housing situation in and around the potential eco-town locations. This included raising awareness through online search engines.

Sleeping Rough

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the average number of people sleeping rough each night in 2008.

Iain Wright: The 2008 national estimate of the number of rough sleepers in England showed 483 people sleeping rough on any single nighta 74 per cent. reduction on the 1998 baseline. The estimate is based on the results of local authority street counts in those areas where a known, or suspected, rough sleeping problem has been identified.

Supporting People Programme

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will review the eligibility criteria to enable young people leaving care aged 16 or 17 years to receive services funded by the Supporting People programme.

Iain Wright: Each local authority is responsible for setting their own eligibility criteria based on local needs and priorities, which then determines who can access services that are funded from the Supporting People Programme .
	While the Government set the national framework for the provision of Supporting People services, administering authorities have responsibility for developing, delivering and monitoring the programme locally, based on local needs and priorities in relation to the provision of housing support, which develops and sustains an individual's capacity to live independently in their accommodation, as set out in the local authority's Supporting People five-year strategy.
	From 2009-10 the ring fence has been removed from the Supporting People Programme which provides local authorities with the opportunity to develop and provide more innovative and holistic services to meet local needs and priorities.

Sustainable Development

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Level  (a) 1,  (b) 2,  (c) 3,  (d) 4,  (e) 5 and  (f) 6 sustainable homes have been built in each quarter since the Code for Sustainable Buildings was implemented; and how many homes at each level she expects to be built in each of the next three years. [Official Report, 12 May 2009, Vol. 492, c. 11MC.]

Iain Wright: The Code for Sustainable Homes (the code) became operational in April 2007. We estimate that it takes on average 18 months to two years to go through the design, planning and building of any home. To achieve code status in the most cost-effective manner, homes need to be specifically designed for the code.
	The code process has three main stages, registration, design and post constructionthere is a significant number of homes within the processand these numbers are increasing monthly, even in the current difficult economic climate. The following data are February 2009, with an August 2008 comparison.
	
		
			  Number of code certificates issued by end March 2009 and August 2008 
			 Post construction (by code level) 
			   Registration  Design  1  2  3  4  5  6 
			 February 2009 170,000 1,082 0 1 32 4 2 0 
			 August 2008 45,000 247 0 0 0 2 0 0

Travelling People: Caravan Sites

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has issued to  (a) local authorities and  (b) regional assemblies on their handling of responses to consultations on the provision of Traveller sites in cases where those responses may be considered discriminatory.

Iain Wright: Communities and Local Government has not issued any guidance to local authorities or regional assemblies regarding the handling of responses to consultations on the provision of Traveller sites. ODPM Circular 1/06 Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites makes clear that local authorities have a general duty under the Race Relations Act 1976, as amended, to actively seek to eliminate unlawful discrimination and to promote good race relations in all they do.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Children In Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children have been placed in care at Kendall House in Kent in the last 10 years; and by which authorities.

Beverley Hughes: The Department does not collect information on numbers of children placed in particular children's homes. Kendall House closed in the late 1980s.

Children: Protection

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the National Safeguarding Unit for the Third Sector.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 23 April 2009
	On 22 January 2009 my noble Friend the Baroness Morgan of Drefelin announced that the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Children England have been awarded a 2.2 million contract over three financial years for the delivery of a new Safeguarding Unit for the Third Sector. The new Unit will be formally launched and fully operational on 5 June 2009.
	The Department is currently developing an evaluation methodology with the NSPCC and Children England which will measure the effectiveness of the Unit's interventions. Evaluation will be ongoing in order to shape and drive delivery of the Unit. A final independent evaluation will be completed prior to the contract end date of 31 March 2011 to inform future policy.

Children: Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2009,  Official Report, columns 271-2W, on special educational needs, how much has been spent on local authority functions in relation to child protection in each local authority area in each year since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 10 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1950W.

Children: Protection

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many serious case reviews were  (a) conducted and  (b) had their executive summaries published in each year since 2001.

Beverley Hughes: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 23 February 2009,  Official Report, column. 442W about the number of serious case reviews. Local Safeguarding Children Boards are required to make public an executive summary of each serious case review. Paragraph 8.33 of Working Together To Safeguard Children states that 'in all cases, the LSCB overview report should contain an executive summary that will be made public and that includes, as a minimum, information about the review process, key issues arising from the case and the recommendations that have been made.' Lord Laming's recent report, 'The Protection of Children in England: A Progress Report' reinforced the importance of high quality, publicly available executive summaries of serious case reviews. The Government have accepted Lord Laming's recommendations and will be publishing a detailed response to his report shortly.

Children: Protection

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in respect of how many serious case reviews the executive summary was published within a month of completion of the review; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) are required to make public an executive summary of each Serious Case Review. There is no requirement to do so within one month of completion. LSCBs make the decision on the date of publication in line with the guidance in Working Together to Safeguard Children. Data on the time taken to publish executive summaries is not collected centrally.

Children: Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department plans to pay Sir Roger Singleton for his services as chief adviser on the safety of children in the financial year 2009-10.

Beverley Hughes: Provision has been made to pay an estimated 110,000 plus VAT, travel and reasonable expenses to Sir Roger Singleton for his services as Chief Adviser on the Safety of Children in the financial year 2009-10.

Departmental Billing

John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in March 2009.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department for Children, Schools and Families reports on its payment performance to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The percentage of invoices paid within the Government's 10 day target in March 2009 was as follows:
	March 200993.2 per cent.

Education: Assessments

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which subjects are available to be studied at  (a) GCSE and  (b) A level; and what proportion of students studying each such subject at each level is from the (i) maintained and (ii) independent school sector.

Jim Knight: Tables showing each subject available to be studied at GCSE and A-level, along with the proportion of students studying each subject from the maintained and independent sector, have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Faith Schools

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what progress has been made towards achieving the target that at least 25 per cent. of pupils in faith schools should not be affiliated to the same faith as the school.

Jim Knight: In October 2006, religious authorities made a commitment that all new Church of England schools open up 25 per cent. of places to children without reference to faith, and, once Catholic demand was met, up to 25 per cent. of places in new Catholic schools for children from other or no faiths.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2009,  Official Report, column 485W, on general certificate of secondary education, what proportion of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English, mathematics, science and a modern foreign language in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The information requested is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Pupils who achieved five or more grades A* to C including English, mathematics, science and a modern foreign language from 1997 to 2008 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 2008 154,743 23.7 
			 2007 156,152 23.8 
			 2006 168,131 25.9 
			 2005 179,760 28.3 
			 2004 183,397 28.5 
			 2003 177,440 28.5 
			 2002 183,621 30.3 
			 2001 183,295 30.4 
			 2000 172,769 29.8 
			 1999 169,172 29.1 
			 1998 158,041 27.5 
			 1997 150,752 25.7 
			  Source: Achievement and Attainment Tables 
		
	
	The 2008-2005 data is based on pupils at the end of KS4.
	The 2004-1997 data is based on 15-year-old pupils at the start of the academic year.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils without a statement of special educational needs achieved at least one A* to G grade at GCSE in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The available information can be found in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of pupils with non-statemented special education needs who achieved at least one A*-G at GCSE (including equivalents)  Number of pupils without special educational needs who achieved at least one A*-G at GCSE (including equivalents) 
			 2008 101,106 465,165 
			 2007 86,940 477,543 
			 2006 77,764 478,462 
			 2005 69,429 473,947 
			 2004 64,787 482,956 
			  Source: National Pupil Database 
		
	
	Figures prior to 2004 have not been provided as these are not available on a comparable basis.

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Young Offender Institutions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2009,  Official Report, column 867W, on the General Certificate of Secondary Education: young offender institutions, which body holds information on the examination results of young people in the secure estate.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the examination results of all young people in custody is not collected centrally. However, since the roll-out of the Offender Learning and Skills Service, led by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), in Prison Service Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) in England in August 2006, some data is now collected nationally by the LSC. However this data is for young people in Prison Service YOIs only, and does not include data about learning for young people in Secure Training Centres, Secure Children's Homes or privately managed YOIs.
	Also some young people in custody are still registered at schools and colleges and therefore any GCSEs that they achieve whilst in custody will be reflected in achievement figures of schools and colleges, rather than the figures reported by the LSC for those achieved in Prison Service YOIs.
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 20 April 2009,  Official Report, column. 243W on the latest information from the LSC on the numbers of GCSEs achieved by young people in Prison Service YOIs.

Languages: GCE A-Level

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what percentage of mainstream maintained schools did not enter any pupils for an A level in a modern foreign language in each year since 2005.

Jim Knight: In 2008, 263 (15.3 per cent.) maintained mainstream schools did not enter any pupils for a GCE A-level in a modern foreign language. In 2007 the number was 265 (15.6 per cent.) and in 2006 it was 287 (16.8 per cent.). Data for 2005 are held in a different format than those for earlier years. Consequently, figures for 2005 can be produced only at disproportionate cost.
	 Notes
	1. Only pupils aged 16 to 18 have been counted.
	2. Schools published in the Achievement and Attainment Tables with more than 10 candidates at the end of advanced study and having any results in A-level subjects have been included.

Pupil Exclusions: Special Educational Needs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 754-55W, on special educational needs, how many of the exclusions referred to were exclusions from special schools.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The available information on the number of permanent and fixed period exclusions (not pupils) from special schools, for pupils with statemented or non-statemented special educational needs of behavioural, emotional or social difficulties, for 2005/06 and 2006/07, is shown in the following table.
	Information is only available for the school years 2005/06 and 2006/07 and is shown in the table. For the 2005/06 school year, information on fixed period exclusions was collected via the school census for the first time but for secondary schools only. In 2005/06, reasons for exclusion were not collected from special schools.
	
		
			  Special schools( 1) : Number of fixed period and permanent exclusions where pupils' primary special educational need is emotional, behavioural and social difficulties( 2) , by reason for exclusion (estimates)( 3) , England, 2005/06 and 2006/07 
			   2005/06  2006/07 
			   Fixed period( 4)  Permanent( 5)  Fixed period  Permanent 
			 Physical assault against a pupil   1,690 10 
			 Physical assault against an adult   2,470 30 
			 Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against a pupil   390 0 
			 Verbal abuse/ threatening behaviour against an adult   1,760 10 
			 Bullying   410 (6) 
			 Racist abuse   170 0 
			 Sexual misconduct   90 (6) 
			 Drug and alcohol-related   200 0 
			 Damage   610 (6) 
			 Theft   80 (6) 
			 Persistent disruptive behaviour   2,560 20 
			 Other   1,450 20 
			 Total  90 11,880 90 
			 (1) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. (2) Data for primary SEN need is collected for pupils with a statement of special educational needs or who are classified as being school action plus only. Data here has been taken from the National Pupil Database. (3) Figures relating to reasons for permanent exclusion are estimates based on incomplete pupil-level data. (4) In 2005/06, data on fixed period exclusions was not collected from special schools. (5) In 2005/06, reasons for exclusion were not collected from special schools. (6) Less than 5.  Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: School Census.

Schools

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which  (a) mainstream and  (b) special schools (i) he and (ii) Ministers in his Department have visited in an official capacity in 2009 to date; and on what date each such visit took place.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The following table shows mainstream and special schools visited by Ministers at the Department for Children, Schools and Families since 2009 to date.
	
		
			  Date  Schools visited 
			  Ed Balls  
			 7 January East Ward Community Primary School, Willow Street, Bury, Lancashire 
			 7 January Broadoak Sports College, Hazel Avenue, Bury 
			 8 January Christ the King School; Christ the King Centre for Learning, Stockbridge Lane, Huyton 
			 8 January Morley High School, Fountain Street, Leeds 
			 5 February Perry Beeches School, Beeches Road, Birmingham 
			 9 February Beechwood School, Long Readings Lane, Slough, Berkshire 
			 9 February Drove Primary School, Drove Road, Swindon, Wiltshire 
			 11 February Sutherland Business and Enterprise College Gibbons Road, Trench, Telford, Shropshire 
			 4 March Manor School, Millfield Lane, York 
			 6 March Boston Spa School Clifford Moor Road, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire 
			 6 March Hardwick Primary School, Dover Street, Derby, Derbyshire 
			 13 March Bordesley Green Primary School, Merchmont Road, Birmingham 
			 20 March Victoria Dock Primary School, South Bridge Road, Victoria Dock, Hull 
			 20 March Vermuyden School, Centenary Road, Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire 
			 15 April Portchester School, Harewood Avenue, Bournemouth, Dorset 
			 20 April Collis Primary School, Fairfax Road, Teddington 
			 20 April East Barnet Upper School, Westbrook Crescent, Barnet 
			 23 April Brockholes Wood County Primary School, Brant Road, Preston 
			 23 April Southlands High School, Clover Road, Chorley 
			 23 April Harrop Fold School, Hilton Lane, Worsley 
			   
			  Beverley Hughes  
			 5 February Coopers Lane Primary School, Pragnell Road, Grove Park, Lewisham 
			 23 February Broadoak School, Warburton Lane, Partington, Urmston, Manchester 
			 19 March Higher Blackley Education Village, Alworth Road, Blackley, Manchester 
			 23 March George Greens School, 100 Manchester Road, London 
			   
			  Jim Knight  
			 9 January Isambard Community School, Swindon 
			 20 January Sedgehill School, Lewisham 
			 22 January Richard Rose Academy, Carlisle 
			 10 February Little Ilford School, Ilford 
			 18 March Eltham College, London 
			 23 April The Orchards School, Bolton 
			 27 April West Somerset Community College, Taunton 
			   
			  Baroness Delyth Morgan  
			 28 January All Saints College, West Denton 
			 28 January Linhope PRU, West Denton 
			 30 January Tadcaster Grammar School, Toulston, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire 
			 11 March Laycock Primary School, Islington 
			 15 April Porchester Sports College, Harewood Avenue, Boscombe, Bournemouth 
			 24 April Millfields Community Primary School, Hackney 
			   
			  Sarah McCarthy-Fry  
			 20 January Sacred Heart RC Secondary School, Camberwell New Road, London 
			 20 January Visit to Alfred Salter Primary School, Quebec Way, Rotherhithe 
			 12 February Visit to Coundon Court School and Community College, Northbrook Road, Coundon, Coventry 
			 18 March Visit to Linden Lodge School, 61 Princes Way, Wimbledon Park, London 
			 2 April Visit to Battersea Park School, Battersea Park Road, London 
			 20 April Visit to The Trinity School in Nottingham, Beechdale Road, Aspley, Nottingham

Schools: ICT

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent on ICT  (a) in total and  (b) per pupil in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in England in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The Department does not keep records of data on ICT spend in the form requested.

Social Services: Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which local authorities are not pursuing an open tender for their social work practice pilot.

Beverley Hughes: Two of the six chosen pilot sites, Blackburn with Darwen and Staffordshire local authorities, are not pursuing an open tender for their social work practice pilot.

Teachers: Recruitment

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent on golden hellos for graduates entering the teaching profession in shortage subjects in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many people entering the teaching profession have received golden hellos in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The total cost and number of golden hello payments made to newly qualified teachers in each financial year from 2001-02 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Financial year( 1)  Amount ( million)  Number 
			 2001-02 2.6 641 
			 2002-03 28.5 7,126 
			 2003-04 20 5,000 
			 2004-05 25 6,262 
			 2005-06 29.7 6,681 
			 2006-07 28 6,368 
			 2007-08 28 5,981 
			 2008-09 28 6,825 
			 (1) The Department reimbursed golden hello payments to local authorities through the Standards Fund during the period 2001-02 to 2004-05. Since 1 April 2005 the Training and Development Agency for Schools has managed the reimbursements to local authorities for these payments.

Teaching Methods

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he plans to take to encourage teachers to  (a) increase their awareness of the value of classroom resources and  (b) undertake training on the matter available from educational suppliers.

Jim Knight: Since September 2007 the revised professional standards for teachers provide clear career pathways for teachers from Qualified Teacher Status to Advanced Skill Teachers. These clarify what is expected at each career stage, including expectations about teachers' ongoing engagement in their own continuing professional development (CPD) and make clear that teachers are expected to teach challenging, well organised lessons and sequences of lessons across the age range they teach in which they, for example, use an appropriate range of teaching strategies and resources, including e-learning, which meet learners' needs.
	To support the professional standards we introduced revised and robust performance management arrangements in September 2007 which ensure that teachers' performance is regularly reviewed and that all teachers have clear and robust development plans which take account of their own individual needs and the school's improvement priorities. Teachers play a key role in this process through engaging with their line mangers to agree their professional development plans.
	In this way teachers are fully involved in identifying potential training professional development needs and work within their schools to access the appropriate training.
	It is, of course, for schools to determine how to spend the funding they allocate for staff professional development from the delegated budgets they receive.

Young People: Apprentices

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students are participating in the young apprenticeship schemes at the ages of 14 to 16 in school years 10 and 11.

Jim Knight: The Young Apprenticeship programme for 14 to 16-year-olds is a successful pilot available in selected areas since 2004. A total of 17,012 young people are currently on a Young Apprenticeship programme. 8,090 as part of cohort 4, the current year 11 group who will be achieving this year; and 8,922 in cohort 5, the year 10 group which started last September.

Young People: Unemployment

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many young people aged 16 and 17 years are not in education, employment and training.

Beverley Hughes: Estimates of participation in education, training and employment for those aged 16-18 are published by the Department in a Statistical First Release (SFR) each June and can be found on the Department's website:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgteway/DB/SFR/s000792/index.shtml.
	This publication includes the Department's official estimate of the proportion of young people not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
	The latest estimate shows that 35,900 16 year olds (5.4 per cent. of the 16-year-old population) and 61,100 17-year-olds (9.1 per cent. of the 17-year-old population) were not in education, employment or training at the end of 2007.

Young People: Unemployment

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of the parents of 16 to 24 year olds who are not in employment, education or training are  (a) separated and  (b) living as a couple or married.

Beverley Hughes: The following table derives from data collected as part of the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE). The information on the main activity of the young person (and hence whether they are not in employment, education or training or NEET) comes from the young person themself; the information on marital status comes from their main parent, that is the parent that has principal responsibility for the young person.
	The survey took place in spring 2007 when the young people would have been aged 16-17 years old.
	
		
			   Married, or living with a partner  Separated (inc divorced) 
			 All parents of young people 68 19 
			 Parents of a NEET young person 52 26 
			  Source: Wave 4, LSYPE